An agreeable title. How does a thief become honest? The answer is that, when dealing with the FBI, it is not so easy.

This is a film for 2020 audiences, especially older audiences looking for some kind of easy entertainment in difficult times. So, a thriller which is not too violent (although there are some shootouts and car chases). A thriller which actually has romance built in – romance certainly being a motivation for a thief to be honest.

And, we have Liam Neeson. Neeson has played many serious roles (we remember Schindler’s List, Kinsey, Silence). And for more than 10 years he has built up a catalogue of action shows. With his height, his speaking voice, his strong presence, he brings something of gravitas to any character he plays. And, this is especially the case here, with Tom – a former Marine, demolitions expert, family crisis, and a series of bank robberies. But, especially when he encounters divorcee, Annie (Kate Walsh very sympathetic), it is time for honesty.

The trouble is that when he phones the FBI, they have heard all kinds of confessions before, encountered all kinds of hoaxes. They are not particularly enthusiastic. This is the case with the senior agents, played by Robert Patrick and Jeffrey Donovan. They hand on the mission to the younger agents, played by Jai Courtney and Anthony Ramos. They meet with Tom, they go off to recover some of the money. All could go well in furthering their careers.

But, of course, it doesn’t.

In finding some of the money, quite easily, there is a huge temptation to steal it – dishonest thieves. Unfortunately, the brains behind the stealing, Nivens, Jai Courtney, is strong on impulse rather than planning which has dire consequences. But it brings back Tom into serious action, handy with the gun, skilled in making bombs, expert driver.

So, this is where the action comes in – and some emotions because of Nivens’ attack on Annie (who managed the storage where the money has been kept and has possession of security footage).

The filmmakers keep a fairly good balance between the action and the romance (and, possibly, only one brief instant of swearing, which is a surprise). The comments on the film from your average audience have been  favourable. They enjoyed it. However, the fans of Liam Neeson’s earlier thrillers are begging him to insert much more action – and one of them suggests earnestly that he cut out much of the romance.

Peter Malone MSC

The title may be an oxymoron, but there’s nothing paradoxical about “Honest Thief” (Open Road); it’s a solid, entertaining action thriller.

This fast-paced game of cat-and-mouse between a conflicted bank robber and a duo of crooked cops, directed and co-written (with Steve Allrich) by Mark Williams, offers its protagonist, should he prevail, two prizes: a shot at redemption and the love of a good woman.

Liam Neeson, in the familiar role of a wronged man seeking justice (the “Taken” films, “Cold Pursuit”), stars as the eponymous character, Tom Carter. A former Marine who specialised in defusing land mines, Carter has spent the past decade stealing $9 million from 12 banks in seven states.

No one was injured during Carter’s heists, and he has never spent a penny of the loot. Rather, Carter was in it for the adrenaline rush. “It was never about the money but it made me feel good, made me feel alive,” he says.

Looking to rent a storage unit for his stash, Carter falls head over heels for the saleswoman, Annie Sumpter (Kate Walsh). She has no idea that he is the so-called “In-and-Out Bandit.”

After a year of courtship, Carter wants to wipe the slate clean and marry Annie with a clear conscience. He decides to turn himself (and the money) in, plead for leniency and strike a deal for a shortened prison sentence, mindful that he must serve some time for his criminal behaviour.

It’s an admirable plan, but easier said than done. When Carter calls the FBI, the bureau chief, Sam Baker (Robert Patrick), is sceptical, as multiple crank callers have claimed over the years to be the elusive robber. Nonetheless he assigns two agents, John Nivens (Jai Courtney) and Ramon Hall (Anthony Ramos), to rendezvous with Carter and investigate.

The agents, in turn, seek proof from Carter, so he rashly hands over the keys to the storage unit. The sight of so much dough brings out the worst in the pair. Nivens convinces his partner that they should steal the money and kill Carter, arguing that no one will be the wiser.

Needless to say, the scheme goes awry and a stunned Annie is brought into the fray. As the lovebirds are forced to flee, an embarrassed Carter tries to explain. “I didn’t lie,” he says. “I just didn’t tell you certain things.”

Whopping understatements aside, “Honest Thief” keeps the viewer guessing as Carter and Annie stay one step ahead of the rogue agents and a trustworthy cop, Tom Meyers (Jeffrey Donovan), picks up the scent.

The film contains intense violence, including gunplay, and fleeting mild profanity.

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Joseph McAleer is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service.

Source: https://www.catholicnews.com/honest-thief/