The Thief (1998)

Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

My summary isn't meant as criticism--it's just what you'll see when you watch this film. It is well made and I admired some of the acting-- such as the nice performance the director got out of a little boy. But the film is such a downer I cannot imagine it having any widespread audience.The film begins in the Soviet Union just after WWII. A woman collapses and give birth along a muddy road. The scene then skips ahead six years. The widow mother and her boy are on a train--- heading nowhere in particular. On the train, she meets a dashing soldier and he sweeps her off her feet. Next they're moving into a crummy apartment and soon she realizes that he is NOT a soldier but a sociopath who steals without remorse. But the mother is a strongly dependent personality and she refuses to leave the bum and the trio travel across the country stealing and living irresponsible lives. What's next? See the film...just understand it won't get any prettier!I admire the film for being daring and different. I would assume such a picture never would have been made in the old Soviet Union and the film is clear indication of changing times and attitudes. Worth seeing if you love international films, my only complaints about the film are that it don't think it was so good that it should have been Oscar- nominated plus it was SUPPOSED to be told from the child's viewpoint--yet several scenes occurred where the child was not present--so HOW could the kid have known what happened? Decent, unpleasant and unique.

I can't say that I'm a big fan of Russian movies, but there are some that I really do love - this is one of them. The fact why I do love these "some" movies is this "russian-only" bitterness and rough reality that these movies contain. I really did like all the characters in the "Vor" - each one of them represented some angle of human nature - trust and dependence as opposites to hate and insensibility - qualities that we all do have, but somehow manage to pretend that we don't. Also this movie has a really sentimental atmosphere, that makes you think about different things in your life and maybe even rearrange your system of values. As for me - I thought about love and the fact that love doesn't arise from our actions or qualities...and so it does not vanish according to them. There is such love that is between man and a woman as well as between a child and his parent - love that just IS, love that is beautiful in it's unconditionality. I really do recommend this movie to everyone who thinks that he/she can appreciate quality entertainment.

"Vor" will undoubtedly become a classic of Russian cinema in a few years. First, this was both written and directed by the great Russian filmmaker Pavel Chukhrai! It's a tender pseudo-autobiographical account of life during the last years in Stalinist USSR. An interesting theme in this movie is that of the "father-figure"...and Stalin as a "father-figure" to the Soviet Union. You don't necessarily have to be familiar with the political context of the film, but it definitely makes it all the more poignant and heart-breaking if you are. Vladi Mashkov is superb as the charming "soldier" who, not accidentally, has Comrade Stalin tattooed on his chest. Whether Toljian symbolizes a strong-yet-corrupt Stalin and whether Katja and Sasha represent the disenchanted Russian populus, that's up to you to decide. But see it!Look at "Vor" from the allegorical and political level and it's strikingly true. Look at "Vor" from the emotional and tragic level and it's strikingly true. This movie is deep, painful, and of course riddled with truth. That's why it's so powerful! Of course, the acting and direction show this truth off so vividly. I have to say, once again, that Mashkov proves to be an actor of amazing caliber, expression, and beauty. Dasvidania ;-)

This film takes place in an environment seldom depicted in movies: The Soviet Union during post-war stalinism. And I am so happy that this is made by russians!! This in itself renders it an epic value, but it has dramatic qualities as well. It is very emotional (it might make you cry) as well as extremely funny (it might make you laugh). Finally, it might also be seen as a poem about mother russia that was abused, the people that were betrayed, and the betrayer (stalinism).