Amants et voleurs: A strange little con game

Wait, who is this for?

If you have a soft spot for 1930s French cinema that feels a bit stagey but has a sharp, cynical heart, you'll probably like Amants et voleurs. If you need fast cuts, modern logic, or hate subtitles, stay far away. This isn't a blockbuster; it's a small, slightly dusty character study that feels like it’s being told in a smoky back room.

The whole premise is just absurd enough to work. Our lead protagonist is basically a broke guy who realized that people respect a 'bad boy' more than a 'failed nobody.' So, he starts acting like a thug. It’s the kind of logic you only see in these old French comedies—the idea that playing a criminal is a status symbol.

The scenes move at their own speed. Sometimes they linger on a conversation about nothing, and other times the plot jumps forward so fast you almost miss the transition. There’s a particular moment in the middle where he’s trying to snatch some documents, and I swear, the tension feels like it’s coming from the actors just being in the same room together rather than anything actually happening on screen.

I found myself comparing it to the vibe of Puss in Boots, not because the plots are similar—they aren't—but because there's that same sense of playfulness. Everything feels a little bit like a costume party where everyone knows they’re wearing masks. 🎭

The dialogue is snappy, though. It doesn't waste time with long, flowery speeches. People just say what they mean, or they lie through their teeth, and you're left to figure out which one it is. It’s honestly refreshing compared to the over-explained scripts we get today.

There is this one shot of Arletty where she just stands there looking bored, and it’s the most interesting thing in the movie. You can tell she knows exactly what’s going on, and she’s just waiting for everyone else to catch up. I love that. It’s those tiny, unscripted-looking beats that make me keep watching these old things.

Is it a perfect movie? God, no. The pacing is all over the place, and some of the supporting characters are just there to fill space. But it has a soul. It feels like a real movie made by real people who were probably just trying to pay their rent in 1935.

Maybe don't watch it when you're tired. It requires just enough focus to appreciate why the main guy thinks being a fake criminal is a good career move. It’s weird. I liked it.