“The Painter and the Thief”

Have you seen the trailer for this movie?! It made the rounds in the festival circuit, including Sun Dance, and by all accounts audiences received it with rave reviews. Even Rotten Tomatoes gives it a perfect-score nod of approval with a 100% rating.

The Painter and the Thief is based on the true story of a painter who tracks down the criminal who stole several of her paintings from an art gallery. Her main objective in find him is to find her paintings. However, she is met with disappointment as he has no recollection of what happened the night of the heist. He was too high on drugs.

Undeterred, she continues to press him for answers. The plot takes an unexpected turn when she requests his permission to paint his portrait. Stunned, and feeling a sense of debt to her, he consents. When she finishes the portrait, she turns it around for him to see for the first time. When his eys gaze upon the oil painting of himself, he breaks down into uncontrollable sobs, for this is the first time anyone has cared to “notice” him.

The movie takes viewers on a multi-layered journey full of emotion as the painter comes to understand the many struggles her new friend has faced in life. She paints an exquisite likeness of the man, and admits that she saw “no thief” in him as she painted.

For art lovers everywhere (and for anyone looking for a great movie) The Painter and the Thief is a not-to-be-missed viewing experience.