Emir Kusturica, Gérard Darmon, James Quattrochi

When Neil Jordan is really on his game, as he is with The Good Thief, his directorial skill is a marvel to behold. In the character-driven mode of Jordan's Mona Lisa and The Crying Ga...( read more  read more... )me, this smooth, underrated caper provides an abundance of cinematic riches, not the least being Jordan's peerless knack for dialogue and a tailor-made role for Nick Nolte. For better or worse, Nolte's off-screen drug abuse served him well in portraying Bob Montagnet, ace thief, recovering heroin addict, and beloved denizen of the French Riviera, where his luck is about to take some very clever turns. The elegant plot is yours to discover: In loosely remaking the French classic Bob le Flambeur, Jordan crafts what one reviewer aptly called "the underbelly of Ocean's Eleven," involving an impenetrable vault full of priceless art, a rescued Russian prostitute, an eccentric band of accomplices, and high-stakes poker in Monte Carlo. Nolte's right at home in this rich-and-risky milieu, and the combined talents of Jordan and ace cinematographer Chris Menges make The Good Thief a pleasure from start to finish. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

61% liked it

5,759 ratings

Critics

77% liked it

137 critics

R, 109 min.

Directed by: Neil Jordan

Release Date: April 2, 2003

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DVD Release Date: August 19, 2003

Stats: 196 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (196)


  • October 1, 2009
    A good Heist movie. More stylish than Ocean's 11 but less watchable. Style over content maybe, I mean, what?s with the editing? The pause before every new frame, I don't get it? Still, Nolte makes it worth watching and Neil Jordan is one of the best directors in the world today. ...( read more)Worth a watch!
  • February 17, 2009
    while the story was solid and the end was very good, the script was awful, the acting sub par, and the directing by niel jordan distractingly bad. some give and some take makes for an average film. great semi-cameo by ralph fiennes.
  • September 19, 2008
    not the greatest
  • April 27, 2008
    A stylish, tense, sexy and electrifying crime thriller. Explosive, smart, bold, funny and exciting. Nick Nolte has never been better. Gives his best performance in years. He just gets better as the years go on showing impressive and undeniable star power. A great cast of actors. ...( read more)Ralph Fiennes and Tchecky Kayrow turn in great performances. An totally enjoyable flick. A excellemt movie. It's one of those rare pieces of film noir that makes for good entertainment pleasure. A smooth, character-driven and absolutely exhilerating flick.
  • March 4, 2007
    I prefer this over Bob La Flambeur.
  • November 4, 2009
    It was a great casting decision to put Nick Nolte in the lead role of this film. Nolte gives a great performance and the script keeps things interesting. This is a good thinking man's film.
  • July 21, 2009
    Too slow and too average
  • April 29, 2009
    Creditable remake of French original.
  • January 10, 2009
    No thankyou - Not interested.
  • December 3, 2008
    Very average! I like Nick Nolte in doses!

Critic Reviews


April 22, 2003
David Edelstein, Slate

This is a movie for which you want to give an award to the casting director, Susie Figgis. full review

April 17, 2003
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Blurry, opiated, jagged with melancholy and stone cold beautiful. full review

April 11, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

There's not much to remember a few days later, but it's eye candy of a very high order. full review

April 11, 2003
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

To the extent that it's a rhapsody on the theme of Nick Nolte, The Good Thief has considerable charm. full review

April 11, 2003
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

[Nolte] is magnificent -- ravaged, desperate, aware. full review

April 11, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Whether or not Nolte topped up every day on the set, it is clear that he was born to play Bob. full review

April 4, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

This remake of Jean-Pierre Melville's 1955 Bob le Flambeur tries for a stylish, shambling grace. But like Bob, it can't quite get it up. full review

View more The Good Thief reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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The Good Thief Trivia


  • A wanted thief+murderer, a cunning soldier+murderer and a stranger are after some bags of GOLD!  Answer »
  • What movie does Nick Nolte find himself with a gambling problem, drug problem, and a longing to become a good thief?   Answer »

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