The Thief is a 1997 Russian period film, set in the Soviet Union in the years following World War II. Shot on a relatively modest budget of two million dollars, the film has a very polished look for a film that is more than twenty years old.
Sanya (Misha Philipchuk) is a saucer-eyed six-year-old. He was a war baby, born after his father was sent off to fight in World War II. His father was killed in the war, leaving his mother to fend for herself. Sanya's mother, Katya (Ekatarina Rednikova) remains young and very attractive. When the pair set off on a train in search of work, their paths cross with a young soldier, Tolyan (Vladimir Mashkov).
Katya soon learns that Tolyan is not a soldier, at least not currently. He is a con-man and a thief. Katya becomes tormented by her love for Tolyan and her hatred for what he is. Tolyan is also a stern disciplinarian, who makes Sanya stand up for himself. The three travel from town to town in search of easy marks to fund their lifestyle. It is a lifestyle that is headed toward disaster, with the future of an impressionable Sanya hanging in the balance.
Directer/Writer Pavel Chukhraj creates a set of characters that evoke strong emotions. By creating complicated characters, Chukhraj adds a complexity rarely seen in film. The personal interactions provide an opportunity for Chukhraj to challenge the audience while creating great depth to the story. The story centers around the impressionable Sanya and his relationship with Tolya. In a rare cinematic move, Chukhraj summarizes the conflict in the story with a simple visual connection at the end of the film. It was a risky choice that paid off big, adding perspective and poignancy to the story.
I was very impressed with the (at that time) young actor Philipchuk. The success of this film hinged on his performance, which was flawless. The young actor seemed wise beyond his years and possessed a presence that allowed him to own his scenes. His confidence and skill were impeccable. His relationship with Mashkov translated well to the screen. While there was visible strain, the undercurrent of affection was visible, making the entire concept plausible. Rednikova was enjoyable, although her role did not require as much from her. I had a more difficult time relating to her struggle in the film, partly because she didn't sell it as convincingly as the others. I liked her, but her dramatic elements could have been crisper.
The Thief received an R rating from the MPAA. I was shocked to see a scene with prevalent male nudity (in a bathhouse) that included the young actor's genitalia. The scene was done tastefully and with credibility. It did not have any sexual elements or connotation, but I was still surprised knowing that some films have been censored by the US child pornography laws. There were a couple of sex scenes, which were handled tastefully and with minimal nudity. Aside from the bathhouse, Katya's exposed breasts are showed in one scene. The violence seemed more disturbing to me. There was a mass execution near the end of the film, some fist fights, and a scene where the lead asks Sanya to stab him with a knife. I really enjoyed the film and hate to recommend restrictions, but there is enough objectionable to keep this one out of reach of pre-teen viewers. Run time is one hour, 36 minutes.
The Thief is a warm tale of love between a young man and an errant mentor. The story forces viewers to connect with a distasteful character while developing complexity that mirrors the real world. The world is not perfect, and The Thief exposes that truth. It allows us some introspection about our own impact on the world. The great characters, decent plot and expressive conclusion take us on a rich journey. I would highly recommend this film. 8/10.
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