''Thieves'' () is a 2007 Spanish film directed by Jaime Marques Olarreaga starring

Juan José Ballesta Juan José Ballesta Muñoz, also known as Juanjo Ballesta (born 12 November 1987) is a Spanish actor. Biography Born on 12 November 1987 in Parla, Ballesta grew up in Toledo, Spain, Toledo. He debuted in a performance in television in 1997, ...

and María Valverde.

Plot

The plot tracks the love story between two pickpockets teaming up together: Álex (raised after age 7 in a foster home) and Sara (a well-off student).

Cast

Production

The screenplay of ''Thieves'' ( directorial feature debut) was penned by Marques Olarreaga alongside Juan Ibáñez, based on an original story by Marques Olarreaga and Enrique López Lavigne. Other crew duties were entrusted to (cinematography), (editing),

Federico Jusid Federico Jusid is an Argentine composer who resides and works between Madrid and Los Angeles. He has written the scores for more than 60 feature films and over 70 television series. His work includes the score for the Academy Award-winner for Be ...

(music) and (art direction). The film was a Estudios Picasso, Pentagrama Films and Maestranza Films production. Shooting locations included

Madrid Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...

and

Bilbao Bilbao is a city in northern Spain, the largest city in the Provinces of Spain, province of Biscay and in the Basque Country (greater region), Basque Country as a whole. It is also the largest city proper in northern Spain. Bilbao is the List o ...

Reception

Reviewing for ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'', Ray Bennett considered that the film has the "look and feel of a Hollywood vehicle designed to launch its young leads, and that might work, though the film doesn't". Jonathan Holland of '' Variety'', considered that "though the contrast between gritty theme and dreamy treatment works fine, pic's good looks are sometimes just self-regarding". Mirito Torreiro of ''

Fotogramas ''Fotogramas'' is a Spanish digital and print film magazine which has been in circulation since 1946. It is one of the early film magazines in Spain. History Founded in Barcelona, it was first published on 15 November 1946 by Antonio Nadal-Rodó ...

'' scored the film with 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the chemistry between Ballesta and Valverde as the best of the film, while citing "some slightly implausible moments" (such as the interrogation) as a negative point.

Release

The film screened at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival in March 2007 as part of the festival's official selection. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures International España, it was theatrically released in Spain on 22 June 2007.

Accolades

, - , align = "center" , 2007 , , 10th Málaga Spanish Film Festival , , colspan = "2" , Silver Biznaga. Jury's Special Award , , , , align = "center" ,

References

{{authority control 2007 films 2007 crime drama films 2007 romantic drama films Films shot in Madrid Films shot in Bilbao 2000s Spanish-language films Telecinco Cinema films Spanish romantic drama films Spanish crime drama films Maestranza Films films 2000s Spanish films