The Good Thief

Critics Consensus

Bolstered by Nolte's strong performance, The Good Thief brims with seductive style.

77%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 146

62%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 6,979

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Movie Info

Set against the glitzy backdrop of the French Riviera, aging gambler Bob Montagnet is about to gamble it all on the casino heist of a lifetime; a spectacular sleight of hand--two heists, one real, one not, but which is which? Under the watchful eye of Roger, a policeman who would as soon save his longtime opponent as arrest him, Montagnet assembles a team that consists of partners Paulo and Raoul, technical mastermind Vladimer, former-drug-dealer-turned-informant Said, Anne, a young Eastern girl Montagnet rescued from prostitution, and the perfect complement to a double theft--identical twins Albert and Bertram.

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Cast

Nick Nolte
as Bob
Tcheky Karyo
as Roger
Nutsa Kukhianidze
as Anne
Saïd Taghmaoui
as Paulo
Gérard Darmon
as Raoul
Mark Lavoine
as Remi
Emir Kusturica
as Vladimer
Marc Lavoine
as Remy
Ouassini Embarek
as Said
Jason Flemyng
Mark Polish
as Albert
Mike Polish
as Bertram
James Quattrochi
as Jamie
Patricia Kell
as Yvonne
Warren Zavatta
as Petit Louis
Nicolas Dromard
as Luigi
Sarah Bridges
as Philippa
Théo Trifard
as Bill
Ralph Fiennes
as Tony Angel
Frederico Scotto
as Chief Security Man
Laurent Grevill
as Casino Manager
Roland Munter
as Spanish Night Club Heavy
Jean M'Bale
as Monitor Security Man
Sergio Candiota
as Fernandez
Damien Arnone
as Security Guard, Villa St. Pierre
Enzo Iovino
as Croupier
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Critic Reviews for The Good Thief

All Critics (146) | Top Critics (44)

  • The problems stem from ragged storytelling, a surfeit of silly epigrams and a jangle of accents and cultures that leaves you wondering where Mr. Nolte's strangulated crook fits in.

    Apr 4, 2018 | Full Review…

    Joe Morgenstern

    Wall Street Journal
    Top Critic

  • The Good Thief is worth seeing, if only for Nolte's turn as the loveable de-toxing rogue.

    Jan 2, 2018 | Full Review…

    Barbara Ellen

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • While Jordan's repeated freeze-frames try a little too hard for nonchalance, the overall cocktail of Gallic insouciance and American film noir grit delivers such relaxant properties you forgive a few foibles.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…

    Derek Adams

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Discount its distinctly casual approach to the mechanics of a multi-million Euro robbery, and it's not bad at all.

    Jul 25, 2003 | Full Review…

    Sandra Hall

    Sydney Morning Herald
    Top Critic

  • Mr. Jordan has lovingly recreated much of what glittered in the hard French thrillers that once starred Delon and Belmondo, and provided a superbly customized vehicle for the salty charms of ashtray-voiced Nick Nolte.

    May 1, 2003

    Rex Reed

    Observer
    Top Critic

  • Great fun despite its deficiency as a presumed thriller.

    Apr 30, 2003 | Full Review…

    Andrew Sarris

    Observer
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (146)

Audience Reviews for The Good Thief

  • Mar 25, 2012
    I'll be honest: I only watched this movie because of Said Taghmoui. The story was just so-so for me and I just couldn't take my mind off the bad editing. Every time a scene would end and cut to the next, it would freeze. And not in the artsy way, more like the editors didn't know what they were doing.
    Remi L Super Reviewer
  • Mar 12, 2012
    "The Good Thief" is an entertaining film that reminded me a lot of another one of Neil Jordan's films, "Mona Lisa." Nick Nolte delivers a strong performance and Jordan's direction is spot-on for most of the time, but the plot is riddled with more holes than John Dillinger's body and the editing style is a bit distracting and inconsistent.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Jan 17, 2012
    A movie that tried really hard for the "cool" factor, complete with a "cool" french soundtrack. It's a decent watch. It may have been much better with a better lead? I wasn't buying the suave gambler/thief played by Nick Nolte..but that's just me, maybe. I'm not really a fan.
    Cynthia S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 09, 2012
    I like films that successfully give actors fish out of water characters. The professional in a foreign land. Here we get a good American in Nice exercise and it brings out the best in Nolte.
    John B Super Reviewer
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