Movie review - "Thieves Like Us" (1974) ***1/2

Robert Aldrich is pretty good form, mainly because he's working from strong source material - thieves in the Depression era. Its fascinating to contrast this film with other depression gangster films that were popular at the time (Big Bad Mama) - Altman refuses to play by the rules which, to be honest, at times is irritating but is mostly refreshing and delightful. We rarely see the robberies, we don't see the death - but the two hang over the film constantly, the radio is always on (the film is very conscious of pop culture of the time, with cokes and magazines everywhere), it doesn't go for the aw-gee-poor-convicts argument (the three are obviously guilty and should be put behind bars; one of them is a psychopath). Keith Carradine is fresh faced and engaging as the young thief and Shelley Duvall simply enchanting as his lover.The film has a laid back tone which means the explosions of violence are disconcerting (but in a good way). John Schuck impresses as Carradine's nasty mate, ditto Bert Ramsen as his nice mate. Strong period detail, powerful ending. It goes for over two hours and is a little long - for instance, they could have had Carradine and Duvall meet up and get together, without that separation at the beginning. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did it was worth it.