Die kleine Schwindlerin: A Riviera Caper That Almost Works

Is this worth your time?

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.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Die kleine Schwindlerin (1933) through its definitive frames.

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.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Die kleine Schwindlerin (1933) through its definitive frames.

The Good, The Messy, The Old

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.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Die kleine Schwindlerin (1933) through its definitive frames.

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.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Die kleine Schwindlerin (1933) through its definitive frames.

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.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Die kleine Schwindlerin (1933) through its definitive frames.

Odd Little Moments

• The dialogue feels a bit stiff, like they're reading it for the first time.
• The background extras in the party scene look like they were told to just stand there and nod.
• There is a door that squeaks in the background for like three straight minutes. It was super distracting.
• The lighting makes everyone look like they're in a perpetual state of worry.

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. ☕️