Thick as Thieves (1999)

Two master thieves go at odds with one another as one sets the other up for a crime. The first, a suave pro who does his job and then hides in his own privacy, listening to old jazz records... See full summary »

Director:

Scott Sanders

Writers:

Patrick Quinn (novel), Scott Sanders (screenplay),

Stars:

Mark Adair-Rios, Khandi Alexander, Erich Anderson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Adair-Rios	...	Waiter
Khandi Alexander	...	Janet
Erich Anderson	...	Tenesco
Cecil 'Shuckey Duckey' Armstrong	...	Butch
Tom Babuscio	...	Ray (as Thomas Babuscio)
Alec Baldwin	...	Mackin
Reginald Ballard	...	Sugar Bear
Richard Beatty	...	Benny (as Rick Beatty)
Eric Bizot	...	Claude
Andre Braugher	...	Dink
Lisette Bross	...	Restaurant Patron
David Byrd	...	Capetti
Louis Crugnali	...	Ricky
Sandra Cusimano	...	Maria
Michelle Davison	...	Mother

Storyline

Two master thieves go at odds with one another as one sets the other up for a crime. The first, a suave pro who does his job and then hides in his own privacy, listening to old jazz records and caring for his ailing dog, Wally. The other is a local gangster with a taste for the finer life, who decides to eliminate the competition. This ignites a war between the two men and their aides. An angry mob boss and a female police officer try to sort the mess before things get too out of hand.

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Plot Keywords:

mob boss | toothbrush | manners | internal affairs | kitchen | 

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Taglines:

It's all about payback.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violence and some drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

9 April 1999 (Italy)

Also Known As:

The Last Bandit

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gigantic Pictures (III), Moonstone Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The turntable in Mackin's apartment is a Technics SL-1200MKII. The Technics logo on the shell is clearly covered with a black marker though, probably due to the lack of endorsement kickback.

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Goofs

Among "Thanks to" (corporate contributors) in end titles: "Calvin Kelin", an obvious typo for Calvin Klein.

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Quotes

Pointy: From Gary huh, let me tell you where I'm from. A little place called "fresh off a nigga's ass." You just made me homesick.

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Connections

References Gone with the Wind (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Norman & Norman"

User Reviews

An ultra-cool jaunt through the criminal underworld.

A crime lord decides to double-cross a professional thief that the higher-ups in his organization hired for a food stamp heist. Naturally, the professional thief evades the trap, but then decides to get even. As things escalate the cops become more and more interested. So do the chiefs of the organization, who realize that all this unwanted attention is bad for business, and finally find themselves having to arbitrate the situation.

This is a well made crime movie. The movie starts with a humorous scene featuring a cameo by Janeane Garofalo where she and Alec Baldwin deadpan some lies to each other. This scene doesn't lead to anywhere, but is very hip.

The movie goes pretty fast through its story with plenty of smart, breezy dialogue. As always, Alec Baldwin is good, but is outshown by Michael Jai White and Andre Braugher, who play the crime lord and his top lieutenant respectively. White plays a not so bright but vicious crime lord with upwardly mobile aspirations. Braugher hits just the right notes of dismayed resignation as he contemplates his boss' follies. Rebecca DeMornay also has a great character to play - a hard-boiled police detective who has seen it all but remains a half-step behind the action. There are lots of well-crafted minor characters as well. The sound track also deserves a special note (no pun intended).

It you've seen all the Tarantino and Tarantino-esque movies, and are looking for more, this movie would fit the bill.