Film

Once a Thief

Name: Once a Thief
Genre: Action, Comedy, Thriller, Crime
Released: 1991
Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing, Cherie Chung Cho-Hung, Paul Chu Kong, Kenneth Tsang

A Hong Kong crime caper about three orphan thieves raised by a crime boss, juggling heists with romance and betrayal. It's a film that rides the line between action thriller and romantic comedy with real flair, anchored by Chow Yun-Fat's charisma. For anyone who loves stylish crime stories with genuine heart and humour.

TMDb rating

3.4

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you love caper films where romance, slapstick banter and flashy gunplay share the same breath, and a trio's loyalty is more fun to follow than the plot's mechanics.

Skip it if you need airtight plotting, since the story sometimes loosens its grip and its swings from giddy to sentimental can feel uneven.

What it asks of you: Roughly 108 minutes of shifting moods: playful banter, sudden bursts of gunfire, and sentimental pauses that arrive without much warning, so stay loose.

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The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

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