Right from the start where it's light, catchy theme sets in, How To Steal A Million makes no pretensions that it is here to have a bit of fun. And as a small pleasant diversion, Hot To Steal A Million succeeds. It is competent, well directed, and it breezes along agreeably, making quick work of setting things up for the climax(consider the set up that the French presidents and residence and interior ministry neighbours the museum). Of course, it is also a ridiculous film, with outrageous logical loopholes, but for an audience with a desire for entertainment, that shouldn't be a burden. The film also finally stars Audrey Hepburn opposite an age appropriate male lead, the first after her debut in Roman Holiday. She acts her part well, reminding me to a similar comedic performance in Charade, while Peter O Toole is fittingly dashing and self assured as a burglar. The movie is also beautifully shot on location in Paris, with opulent, chic locales and interiors. The dialogue between the two leads is also fairy witty and definitely above average. My complaint with the film has to be that it may be predictable at times, and the film takes too long(around 45 minutes) before the main plot is fully introduced. The pairing of Hepburn and O toole, while competent, may be lacking in energy at times. Overall, How To Steal A Million is engrossing enough to delight a fun seeking audience, and it certainly is a competent heist film with a good amount of lightheartedness and comedy.
Review of How to Steal a Million
