A well-done remake of THEY LIVE BY NIGHT that's slightly long but unusually free of Altman's customary indulgences. A 1930s crime story with humor and humanity, THIEVES LIKE US owes more than a passing nod to BONNIE AND CLYDE and BADLANDS in theme and treatment. Young killer-crook
Carradine escapes from a Mississippi jail with older, hard-bitten criminals Remsen and Schuck. After a brief respite, they return to the only way they know how to make a living: robbing banks.
Unlike BONNIE AND CLYDE, there is a real love story between Carradine and Duvall that comes across. The music and background sounds were supplied by John Dunning, who is credited for "radio research." He provided radio shows like "Gangbusters," "The Heart of Gold," remote band broadcasts, and an
actual "Romeo and Juliet" dramatization that is heard while Duvall and Carradine are making love. Most of the killings are referred to rather than seen, so this is a character study more than a violence film. The executive producer was George Litto, who used to be Altman's agent and was making his
bow in production. Litto was later responsible for a few of De Palma's debacles. Fletcher, wife of producer Bick, makes her film debut in this picture. Remsen, who is one of Altman's stock company, has another career as one of the most respected casting directors in Hollywood. Coscreenwriter
Tewkesbury makes a cameo. leave a comment
