Fine cast and direction make this a winner.

Hey_Sweden

After "McCabe and Mrs. Miller", film director Robert Altman returns to the period piece with this superb character study, the second film adaptation (after Nicholas Ray's 1949 "They Live by Night") of a story by Edward Anderson. In Depression era Mississippi, a trio of criminals - Bowie (Keith Carradine), Chicamaw (John Schuck), and T-Dub (Bert Remsen) - escape from prison and hole up temporarily in a farmhouse where Bowie makes the acquaintance of Keechie (Shelley Duvall), with whom he falls in love. While there are bursts of violence throughout, this is much more character than action oriented, with leisurely pacing by Altman that allows the convincing atmosphere to really take hold. The period recreation is stunning, from costumes to sets to cars, and helps the viewer to become really involved in the story, and the people on screen, who each have their own flaws and ambitions. One will notice that Altman goes for an unconventional choice of soundtrack here, as instead of a score he uses old radio programs to enhance scenes; programs like "The Shadow" are used for more serious scenes while a production of "Romeo & Juliet" can be heard over a lovemaking scene. This, more than anything, transports the viewer back in time, doing a better job than most any music score could. Sometimes funny, and sometimes shocking, "Thieves Like Us" is best when it gives its well chosen cast opportunities to really strut their stuff. They couldn't be better; Carradine has one of his best ever roles as Bowie, who's engaging whether he's sharing a scene with Keechie or a stray dog he's befriended. Schuck is vivid as the explosive, alcoholic Chicamaw, and the late Remsen is a delight as the cheerful T-Dub. These two are under rated performers whose names deserve a mention a little more often. Louise Fletcher has her first substantial film role as the tough, no-nonsense Mattie, Ann Latham is appealing as Lula, and Tom Skerritt contributes a scene stealing turn as the cantankerous Dee Mobley. This is one of those movies best appreciated by those who don't need a car chase or other kind of action scene every few minutes in their criminals-on-the-lam pictures. It really cares about character, ambiance, and nuance, and is about as good as this kind of thing gets, maintaining interest for a compelling 123 minutes of screen time. While watching, the viewer will be amused to note the fairly big part that product placement plays here, as the drinking of Coca Cola becomes a recurring theme. Eight out of 10.

score 8/10

Hey_Sweden 19 May 2012

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2614017/