"A fantastic performance by one of the most suggestive duos in recent Spanish cinema. A central, splendid and luminous idea gives sense to this film, which tilts between the sober minimalism inspired by one delicate scene; (one of the most confident and exquisite in a long time produced by a debuting director), and an anecdote that amplifies a whole tragedy. A tragedy lived by a child who is abandoned by his mother, a thief. He will later look for her as an adult after a long voyage marked by destiny. This leads the two youngsters who belong to opposite ends of the social pyramid to fall in love. (Maria Valverde and Juan Jose Ballesta).

They fall in love while they steal wallets, pick pockets and play innocent games.

There is however, no innocence in Jaime Marques' directing debut. There is superb control over the unfolding of the story (there is no unnecessary extra time, the film lasts as long as it should). The ironic Belmondo is better looking than Ballesta and the elegant, aloof and snobbish Valverde, bring sense and density to a splendidly told story. In the best tradition of criminal cinema, this film is dark in its interior and marked by the heavy hand of death.

For lovers of deadly stories."

Mirito Torreiro

FOTOGRAMAS

"This film is an incredibly pleasant surprise, which hooks you in from the start.

Jaime Marqués Olarreaga reveals an unusual talent. He masterfully uses a wide range of expressive cinematographic techniques. Photographic manoeuvres, slow-motion videos, dolly zooms, close ups and progressive transitions between the scenes.

He astutely focuses on two pre-teenage characters in a way that makes the rest of the characters they interact with (family, police) almost become invisible.

Concisely articulated, which by no means implies any lack of resources (as it has them all), "Thieves" progresses like a Greek tragedy, almost Shakespearean with its fatal stepping stones: solitude, learning, courting, love, desperation and death. 

Marques always positions the camera where he should. His graceful and precise editing and mounting confers this major piece of work with lightness and solemnity.

This is the kind of Spanish film we need. Where subtlety and obviousness go hand in hand. Where the Director wins the editing battle; it's all talent and nothing is redundant."

Enrique Colmena

CRITICALIA