Catherine Deneuve, Daniel Auteuil, and director André Téchiné collaborate for the second time (following their outstanding My Favorite Season) in a powerful story about a Paris cop (Auteuil) who comes from a criminal family. When his father and brother are murdered, suspicion shifts to his lover (actress Laurence Côté), who then disappears. Auteuil's character reluctantly teams up with her lesbian girlfriend (Catherine Deneuve) both to find her and clear her name. The gripping story is told in a nonlinear series of overlapping chapters taking place before, during, and after the killing. Time bends and shifts, forcing the action to ripple through an ever-widening pool of neuroses and tragedy. The best part of the film, however, is the always- mesmerizing cold-fusion chemistry between Deneuve and Auteuil, two great actors who never wear their hearts on their sleeves. --Tom Keogh
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Not for Deneuve admirers Comment: Deneuve is in a subdued role in this film. She's also in a supporting role so the film cover is a bit misleading. The story is not as strong as others that she's chosen.
Daniel Auteuil is great as the cop who is entangled in the life of a trouble-making young woman. Extremely sexy in this role, he plays the role of a strong yet conflicted law enforcer well.
The film is a bit weak in its flow. It's not the worst film but it's also not extremely good either.
Customer Rating: Summary: The best French Deconstructivist Film Comment: Les Voleurs is an excellently acted, directed, and written film. This is Auteuil's finest acting to date. Furthermore, the film is the best example of the use of deconstructivism in film making. Les Voleurs is the reason why I believe the French are still the best film makers today. Just a warning to younger viewers. Some scenes can be disturbing. Customer Rating: Summary: Auteuil-Deneuve combine in fascinating cop story. Comment: Daniel Auteuil never ceases to amaze. This versatile actor ("Jean de Florette," "Un Coeur en Hiver") is never the same character more than once, it seems, which is what acting is about, I suppose. In "Thieves" he is a tough cop who is estranged from his family, a group of dedicated organized criminals. He is the black sheep. His brother is killed in an attempted heist, and this incident is the core of the story. He has fallen in love with Juliette (Laurence Côté), whose brother is a member of the family gang, and his life is torn apart. Catherine Deneuve actually has a small part in the story, but carries it off with her usual panache. An excellent cop story, French style.
