Professional thief Ernie takes Mike on as an apprentice, but while Mike clearly has "larceny in his heart", it will take him a long time to get as good as Ernie.
Acting
Reynolds plays against type as a soft, sad pro.
Direction
Forsyth makes crime feel like a warm blanket.
Writing
Dialogue so natural you'll forget it's scripted.
Director
Bill Forsyth
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This bombed in 1989 because audiences wanted LETHAL WEAPON energy, not a heist film about feelings.
Forsyth made LOCAL HERO then this—two films about men quietly transforming each other in unexpected ways.
US
