Thief

Richard Crenna stars as a present-day jewelry burglar working homes in the Los Angeles area. He has two priors on his record, he's drowning in debt, has a kid in foster care, and wants to marry his live-in girlfriend--all he needs is one last score! Writer John D. F. Black gives Crenna a good role for a change; too often stuck playing the Everyman, the actor gets to show off a little manly swagger here, and it suits him. This plot, however, is a downer (with everyone else grim); worse, it has tunnel vision and we never get a bigger picture of what's happening (a woman is robbed at the beginning--and she gets a good, long look at Crenna--but apparently never contacts the police). Angie Dickinson gives her throwaway role a bit of gravitas, but the "ironic" ending--with no logic or motivation behind it--is a cop-out. *1/2 from ****

Wow, movies of this caliber used to come on regular television??? Who would've thought a few decades later this would be the same network to have a show where women cry over men that they've only known for 10 minutes. TV has definitely gotten dumbed down. I don't think a lot of people nowadays have the attention span long enough to watch a movie that doesn't contain a load of cussing and sex. That personally turns me off, so I love finding these vintage movies on YouTube. I'm finally done with Lifetime movies. I got so tired of watching people argue with their family. I wanted to go back to watching the movies that I used to enjoy: films that are truly suspenseful and explore the human condition. Thief is proof of why a small budget doesn't mean poor quality. This is the most well-acted made for TV film I've seen in a LONG while. I'm not exaggerating - I've been watching a lot of them, and this is the first one that wasn't crap for a change.

I don't usually like movies or TV shows where the main character steals as a living, but I found myself enjoying this story about an LA burglar and jewel thief, and even feeling sorry for him. Neil Wilkerson (Richard Crenna) wants to go straight - his motivations being his girlfriend (Angie Dickinson), and trying to obtain custody of his son, who's living on the east coast in a foster home due to his mother's alcoholism. He finds himself having to pull off a heist one last time to pay off a gambling debt. The only complaint I have is the ending. It didn't make any sense, and it was disappointing. Otherwise, Richard Crenna's performance was heartfelt as a father who wanted to be with his son, as a man who was giving serious consideration to becoming a husband, and as a criminal who was being pulled into a life that he was striving to escape. This has been added to my list of movies to watch more than once.

This film is intelligent, moving, and in the end...well, I won't spoil that for you. It's one of Richard Crenna's very best performances, and definitely in Angie Dickinson's top 10. You get a rare and chilling insight into the life of a suburban thief. We are disturbed, but also strangely sympathetic to this lost man. See this film and you will experience a wide range of emotions. Excellent writing and direction. Note: "Thief" can be very hard to find. You may have to trade for it. Good luck. Peter Chicago, IL