Review of Thieves Like Us (1974) by Matthew S — 18 Jan 2008

[font=Century Gothic]Robert Altman's problematic approach is again on full display in "Thieves Like Us" which is about three escaped convicts in 1937 Mississippi.(Well, escape is too strong a word. Strolling is more like it.) Of the three, T-Dub(Bert Remsen) and Chicamaw(John Schuck) are bankrobbers while the youngest, Bowie(Keith Carradine), was in jail for murder but has dreams of playing professional baseball. He also takes a liking to Keechie(Shelley Duvall) at a hideout while the three plan robberies.[/font].

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[font=Century Gothic]"Thieves Like Us" is an exquisitely staged(the radio broadcasts are a nice touch) and very well acted movie but it does ramble on a bit. Plus, it is good that these bank robbers are not glamorized nor romanticized but considering they are working in the Deep South of the Great Depression, it is sad that politics never enter the equation.(There is a casual mention of a lynching on the radio.) And Altman's emotionally remote style does not make it easy to relate to the characters.[/font].