The Wonderful Crook
The Wonderful Crook

Movie spotlight

The Wonderful Crook

1975
Movie
112 min
French

A manufacturer of furniture sees his business go down and decides to rob banks to pay his staff. Het gets romantically involved with one of his victims.

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Director: Claude GorettaGenres: Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A charismatic con artist, Simon, uses his charm and intelligence to swindle the wealthy and corrupt in 1920s Paris. He navigates a world of high society and the criminal underworld, always staying one step ahead of the law and his increasingly complicated personal entanglements. His life takes a turn when he becomes involved with a woman who sees through his facade, forcing him to confront the consequences of his elaborate deceptions.

Critical Reception

The Wonderful Crook was met with a mixed to positive reception from critics, who praised its stylish direction, Gérard Depardieu's performance, and its intriguing crime narrative. However, some found the pacing to be uneven, and the plot occasionally convoluted. Audiences generally appreciated the film's atmosphere and Depardieu's magnetic portrayal.

What Reviewers Say

  • Gérard Depardieu delivers a captivating performance as a charming anti-hero.

  • The film is lauded for its atmospheric portrayal of 1920s Paris and its clever heist elements.

  • Some critics noted that the narrative occasionally struggles with pacing and complexity.

Google audience: Audience reviews are sparse, but generally highlight the engaging performance of the lead actor and the film's stylistic elements, though some found the plot less compelling than expected.

Fun Fact

The film was based on a novel by Georges Darien, a writer known for his anarchist and libertarian themes.

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