It's Me, The Thief -- to ja, Zto dziej (2000)

A comedy about two aspiring car thieves

Jacek Bromski's "To Ja, Zlodziej" (It's Me, the Thief) is a film about two young boys. One boy has parents who are drunks while the other boy has a whore for a mom. The story revolves around the older boy, who hopes to impress a local mob boss by stealing a car owned by a famous singer.

Comparing "To Ja, Zlodziej" to Bromski's other movies, this one is not my favorite. This has to do more with the storyline than anything else. The boys live in a slum where they see many people drink their days away. It is not uncommon for the people they are connected with to steal and engage in fornication.

Although the movie touches upon many themes, a prominent and reoccurring one has to do with sexuality/promiscuity. An example of this is the boy's boss (Janusz Gajos) and the owner of the car he plans to steal (Daniel Olbrychski) both have affairs. This message is best summed up by the younger boy's mother, who works as a prostitute, when she says, "All guys are the same, old or young."

Overall, the film is ok and well acted. Its two most famous actors are Gajos and Olbrychski, who are both renowned in Polish cinema. Compared to the likes of Bromski's "Kariera Nikosia Dyzmy" and "U Pana Boga za piecem," I don't think "To Ja, Zlodziej" is his best work, however, it is still worth watching and provides some entertainment.
November 12, 2006

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