The Thief Who Came to Dinner

Ryan O'Neal gives one of his better, looser performances in this crime-caper, a handsome comedy-drama involving a computer programmer-turned-jewel thief planning a major heist. Warren Oates is the insurance investigator in dogged pursuit, Jacqueline Bisset (at her most lovely) plays a love-interest in on the action, Austin Pendleton is very funny as a nerdy chess pro, and wonderfully blithe Jill Clayburgh makes a big impression in the minor role of O'Neal's ex-wife. Brisk, fairly engaging fluff has tongue wryly in-cheek and is well-directed by Bud Yorkin. This seemed a little flat when it played in theaters, but it works much better on the tube. **1/2 from ****