Malaga

Thieves

Ladrones (Spain)

By JONATHAN HOLLAND

A Warner Bros. Pictures Intl. release of a Pentagrama Films, Estudios Picasso, Maestranza Films production, with participation of Tele 5. (International sales: Sogecable, Madrid.) Produced by Jose Ibanez. Directed by Jaime Marques Olarreaga. Screenplay, Olarreaga, Juan Ibanez.
 
With: Juan Jose Ballesta, Maria Valverde, Patrick Bauchau, Maria Ballesteros.
 

Bringing an unexpected lyricism to a subject more accustomed to in-your-face treatment, Jaime Marques Olarreaga's "Thieves" unfolds the details of its artful young dodger's troubled mind with craft and flair, but only intermittently grips the emotions. Built around a compelling perf from Spanish cinema's teen fave, Juan Jose Ballesta, pic cannily fuses the poetry of picking pockets with an ambiguous, slowly played-out love affair. Result could just about steal into Spain-friendly offshore arthouses, with fest play guaranteed.

Sans family or friends, Alex (Ballesta) leaves the institution where he's been brought up and finds work in a hair salon, picking clients' pockets. His search for his mother, from whom he was separated at an early age, leads him to a junk shop belonging to a shady, unnamed foreigner (Patrick Bauchau). He takes an interest in Alex's obvious skill and offers him some serious work -- the theft of a wallet belonging to an exhibition organizer.

Running parallel to Alex's professional life is the will-they/won't-they relationship he has with middle-class Sara (Maria Valverde), whom he rescues when she's about to be arrested for stealing. Alex persistently stalks her before offering her work as his sidekick, which she eventually accepts.

Though the contrast between gritty theme and dreamy treatment works fine, pic's good looks are sometimes just self-regarding. There are slow-mo scenes aplenty, some of which work (such as the beautifully choreographed pickpocketing scenes), while others, aiming to create mood, are just soporific. Dialogue comes in brief, intense snatches, with long sequences devoted to silent action.Ballesta, often cast in bad-boy roles, provides a fresh twist on the character: Alex picks pockets not because he's rebellious but because he has no other skills. Though efficient, Valverde, as the girl whose heart Alex wants to steal, can't match Ballesta's intensity.

Often attractive score by Federico Jusid shuttles between syrup and grunge, and is fundamental given the scarcity of dialogue.

Camera (color), David Azcano; editor, Ivan Aledo; music, Federico Jusid; art director, Juan Botella. Reviewed at Malaga Film Festival (competing), March 15, 2007. Running time: 105 MIN.