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The Good Thief

Nolte kicks smack in Monte Carlo

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OPENS FEBRUARY 28, CERT 15, 108 MINS

Neil Jordan’s updated and “re-conceived” (well, at least he didn’t “re-imagine”) Melville’s ’50s classic Bob Le Flambeur. He’s made a bit of a hash of it, and this version’s title, plot and ending have been changed repeatedly. As one-last-heist romps go, it’s tortuously hard to follow, and the Euro-stew cast struggle with a flailing fleet of accents.

Making it watchable is another no-prisoners performance from Nick Nolte as anti-hero Bob. An American gambler-crook who’s wound up in the south of France with no money and a heroin habit, Bob’s offered a job ripping off a casino which owns priceless paintings. Asked if he’s tempted, he snarls, “I’m out of dope. I’m out of luck. I’m tempted.” He goes cold turkey, painfully.

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The convoluted scam laboriously develops, with minor characters weaving in and out. Ocean’s Eleven it isn’t. Newcomer Nutsa Kukhanidze exudes presence as the girl Bob takes a shine to, though frankly she could be his granddaughter. It’s Nolte at his gnarliest, though: a grizzly bear in a glittering cage.

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OPENS FEBRUARY 28, CERT 15, 108 MINS Neil Jordan's updated and "re-conceived" (well, at least he didn't "re-imagine") Melville's '50s classic Bob Le Flambeur. He's made a bit of a hash of it, and this version's title, plot and ending have been changed repeatedly. As...The Good Thief