Cult Review
Senior Film Conservator

Honestly, it depends on how much you love 1930s European cinema. If you enjoy watching fancy people in suits pretending to be someone they aren't, you'll probably have a decent time. If you need pacing that feels modern, you are going to get bored by the second act.
The story follows a crew of four crooks who are just trying to get by on the Riviera. They've got this rich aristocrat lined up as the big score. Then, things get messy because—surprise, surprise—one of the women actually starts to like the guy.
Dolly Haas is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. There's this one moment where she looks at the mark, and you can just see the gears turning in her head. It's not a masterclass in acting, but it feels real.
The Riviera setting is mostly just a backdrop, honestly. It doesn't feel as lush as you'd expect, maybe a bit cramped. Sometimes the camera feels like it’s struggling to fit everyone into the frame without bumping into a chair.
I found myself thinking of The Golden Gallows while watching this. It has that same sort of "let’s see what trouble these people can get into" vibe. Though, maybe with slightly less charm.
It’s not trying to change the world. It’s just a movie about a bunch of people trying to scam a guy, and then getting cold feet. It gets better once the heist actually starts to crumble. There's a certain energy when plans go to hell that the movie finally taps into.
It’s fine. It’s light. It’s not going to be my new favorite thing, but it didn't hurt to watch it. ☕️