Thieves Like Us
Thieves Like Us

Movie spotlight

Thieves Like Us

1974
Movie
123 min
English

Three criminals escape from prison and embark on a robbery spree across USA. Along the way, one of them falls in love while they plan a final heist before going their separate ways.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic72/100
Google Users84%
Director: Robert AltmanGenres: Crime, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In the Depression-era South, a naive small-time convict named Bowie escapes from prison with his cellmate and falls in with a group of bank robbers. He quickly becomes entangled in their dangerous lifestyle, finding a measure of love and connection with Keechie, the girlfriend of one of the robbers. Together, they navigate a world of transient jobs, daring heists, and the constant threat of capture, all while Bowie struggles to find his place and perhaps a way out of their desperate existence.

Critical Reception

Robert Altman's 'Thieves Like Us' was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who often praised its authentic atmosphere, character-driven narrative, and Altman's signature directorial style. While it didn't achieve widespread commercial success, it has since been recognized as a significant work within Altman's filmography, appreciated for its nuanced portrayal of outlaws and its distinctively melancholic tone.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its gritty realism and authentic depiction of the era.

  • Appreciated the nuanced performances, particularly from the lead actors.

  • Noted Altman's distinctive directorial hand in creating a mood of melancholy and desperation.

Google audience: Google users frequently highlight the film's realistic portrayal of the Great Depression era and the compelling, downbeat performances. Many found the story to be a poignant and authentic look at the lives of criminals on the run, appreciating its lack of Hollywood gloss.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in Mississippi, and Robert Altman famously eschewed traditional studio filmmaking techniques, opting for a more naturalistic and improvisational approach that infused the movie with a documentary-like feel.

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