This is one of those crime thrillers that screams, "See how clever I am." You know from the mild beginning twists to expect more plot twists. The game I played was "How many twists can you identify?"
Famous art thief Ripley (Morgan Freeman) recruits jewel thief Gabriel Martin (Antonio Banderas) to help him pull an impossible heist. Gabriel falls for Alexandra (Radha Mitchell) a friend of Ripley's. Meanwhile Lt. Weber (Robert Forster) is investigating Ripley, knowing he is going to rob a rich Russian living in NYC.
The film moved quickly and kept me entertained. I enjoyed the acting and the dialogue with its innuendos. It is light enough of a crime thriller for the ladies to enjoy. The characters remind you, "Don't assume anything."
Parental Guide: Brief F-bombs, sex, and nudity, but not excessive. Each in itself might constitute a PG-13 rating but collectively they would get an "R." Was that Banderas' naked butt in that love scene or a body double? I am guessing a double.
The Code
2009
Action / Crime / Thriller
The Code
2009
Action / Crime / Thriller
Plot summary
In New York, experienced art thief Keith Ripley invites Gabriel Martin, the bold thief from Miami, to team up with him. He plans the heist of two valuable mysterious antique Faberge eggs, located in a safe, of the well-protected Russian Romanov jewelry. Each egg is worth $20 million on the black market, and Ripley needs his cut to free himself from his debt to a powerful mobster known as Nicky. The reluctant Gabriel agrees to participate after having a one-night stand with Ripley's goddaughter Alexandra Karolin. Meanwhile, the persistent Lieutenant Weber, who has unsuccessfully tried to put Ripley in jail for 20 years, figures out how to anticipate the criminal's movements in order to catch him.
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GUILT IS NOT IN MY VOCABULARY
Almost saved ...
... by the actors that is. Still the movie suffers especially if you have seen more than 1 or 2 movies. Heist movies that try to be tricky have to be especially careful. Or especially good, extraordinary even to really stay with you. And despite the fact, that you have Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas in this one, it never really touches genius level.
You might not guess every little detail (or maybe you do?),but even so the conclusion isn't really satisfying. It's still a fun ride though and you have a few nice touches. It's nicely filmed and everyone is trying their best. I've seen much worse ... but as stated above, I've seen better movies too.
Wrong Assumptions
In New York, the experienced thief of arts Keith Ripley (Morgan Freeman) invites the bold thief from Miami Gabriel Martin (Antonio Banderas) to team up with him in the heist of two valuable mysterious Faberge eggs of 1917 in the safe of the well protected Russian jewelry Romanov. The worth of each egg in the black market is twenty million dollars and Ripley needs his cut to quit his debt with the powerful mobster Nicky (Rade Serbedzija). The reluctant Gabriel accepts to participate after having one night stand with Ripley's goddaughter Alexandra Karolin (Radha Mitchell). Meanwhile, the persistent Lieutenant Weber (Robert Foster),who has unsuccessfully tried to put Ripley in jail for twenty years, figures how to anticipate the movements of the criminal and arrest him.
"Thick as Thieves" is an unoriginal movie full of clichés that gives the sensation of déjà vu to the viewer. There are many movies with impossible heists, and this one has nothing new in this regard. Further, there are many twists in the story and the conclusion is corny and commercial. The good points are the chemistry among Morgan Freeman, the sexy and gorgeous Radha Mitchell, and Antonio. Banderas. In the end, this forgettable flick entertains. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Jogo Entre Ladrões" {"Game Between Thieves")