I really didn't expect this movie to be so enjoyable! Darren has always been a fascinating director, and I eagerly anticipate each film he releases. However, his recent works have been somewhat of a mixed bag; his last film, The Whale, was quite a tough watch and didn't leave me in a good mood. That said, my expectations for Caught Stealing were uncertain. The main cast and the trailer got me a little excited, but I still worried about potential disappointment. Fortunately, I was amazed by how solid this film turned out to be. It’s a surprisingly light-hearted, polished, and clever shift for Darren. I loved how the plot took unexpected turns and how much fun he and the cast seemed to have while making this Flixtor film. This is a tribute to a bygone era of cinema, a delightful throwback to simpler times. Considering how rare this type of movie is today, my appreciation for it grew significantly. I had been yearning for a mid-budget, star-studded dark comedy/action film that was so prevalent in the late 90s and early 2000s. Set in 1998 (the year I was born, coincidentally), it truly felt like a film from that era, from the production design to the cinematography, dialogues, and narrative structure; it all reminded me of the films I grew up watching. Austin Butler is incredible; he is a true movie star with the looks, charisma, and swagger, but most importantly, he has a wide acting range. He completely convinced me of his character throughout the film. I felt so sympathetic towards him, and by the end, I was deeply invested in his journey. Matt Smith and Zoe Kravitz didn’t have much screen time, yet they still gave strong performances and added to the main character's development. The rest of the cast was also quite good, with Regina King doing her usual excellent work, and Vincent D'Onofrio almost unrecognizable as the main villain, delivering his signature deadpan, intense performance.
