Caught Stealing – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Caught Stealing – Of Cats & Bats: Life of a Bartender

Living in a world of our own, we get lost on trails of mystery and misfits.  At these crossroads, it becomes a matter of working through chance and choice.  Through these strings of life, stories come alive that are interesting to talk about, especially in the world of film.  Capturing life spurs on creative thought, a place where something riveting can come alive through a writer’s vision.  No matter what truths are bare, the journey can be worth the squeeze.  In this review, I look at the latest drama to hit the big screen.  From the aspect of just living life, we head down a path that becomes much more than wrong place/wrong time.  With a strong lead, Caught Stealing is an unpredictable tale of the home runs and strike outs in life.

As a burnout trying to find a new path, Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) gets caught up in an unwanted situation that will test his wits as he struggles to survive the underbelly of New York City.  Going into any film, you walk in through the lens of finding a grip for the escape.  No matter the genre, the dramatics become an endearment of the creative spirit.  In this film, circumstance becomes a matter of reflection and moments, driving characterization through the heart of choice.  In the beginning, we are introduced to Hank Thompson, a bartender in New York City that is trying to reestablish himself after a ‘tragic accident’ back home.  After a series of aloof-like moments and general conversations, he is left (plot device) to watch his neighbor Russ’s (Matt Smith) cat because he has to go back to London to visit his dying father.  Once the cat is left at his apartment, a series of unfortunate circumstances draws Hank into the criminal world of New York City.  The ‘watching the cat’ becomes the trigger point for every Mobster, Cop and Hitman trying to get answers about Russ and what he has (MacGuffin).  This leads through a series of action and dark comedic scenes that mesh thematic appeal with the heart of the characters.  With Hank reluctantly caught in the middle of an unwanted situation, he has to navigate his interactions with all of these characters (you can view the list of actors and actresses at the film’s IMdb page – link), while trying to survive and find the answers that everyone wants.  As things come to light, Hanks’ own survival slowly becomes a point of self-reflection where the brevity and the journey become an ironic twist of personal worth.  As he interacts with all of these crazed and sometimes vile individuals, it creates a connection between the unpredictable narrative to the overarching ‘MacGuffin’ that links Russ, the criminal underbelly and fragile psyche of Hank and his past demons.  This layering is unique but riveting, drawing you to a point of motive through the display of mobsters, cops and hitman. 

As Hank’s journey slowly unravels, each new element that is introduced provides the true nature of the target on Russ’s head.  Through creative misdirection, the layers of raw characterization mixed in with over-the-top sequences lead to a grip that is thrilling but emotional.  Each sequence is relative to both the situation and the times (late 90s), creating that awe of the moment that is encapsulated by living through our main character.  As things finally come to an apparent crossroads, certain revelations lead to a third act where all the unwanted answers come full circle, while building towards a quick wrap-up conclusion.  Caught Stealing is a rambunctious display of unique characters trapped in the moment.  If you are a fan of creative directions or character pieces, this is one for you.  Even if this is not your cup of tea, I think there is enough here to have a good time at the theaters.

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)