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Dec 13, 2014Nursebob rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
As the hulking raspy-voiced Bob, Nick Nolte puts in a convincing performance complimented admirably by an international cast of supporting actors (Emir Kusturica!?). Like a big craggy-faced teddy bear, his character may rob from the rich while fabricating elaborate stories along the way, but he is not a malicious man by nature. Fashioning himself after “the good thief” in the gospels whom Christ welcomed into Paradise, Bob tries to live a charitable life despite his chosen profession. It’s all a glitzy fairy tale of course, heightened by some gorgeous Côte d’Azur settings and an eclectic soundtrack of Cohen ballads and Arabic beats. We’re well aware that one doesn’t shake off a heroin addiction in three days then leave the house a new man, nor does a Slavic peasant with a crack habit become a refined lady after only a few lessons. Some big stretches aside, The Good Thief remains a stylish and highly polished bit of entertainment, well written and nicely acted.