''Thieves'' ( es, Ladrones, links=no) is a 2007 Spanish film directed by Jaime Marques Olarreaga starring

Juan José Ballesta Juan José Ballesta Muñoz, also known as Juanjo Ballesta (born 12 November 1987) is a Spanish actor. Biography Born on 12 November 1987 in Parla, Ballesta grew up in Toledo. He had his debut performance in television in 1997, starring in t ...

and

María Valverde María Valverde Rodríguez (born 24 March 1987) is a Spanish actress. Career At age 16, Valverde had a major role in ''The Weakness of the Bolshevik'', for which she won Best New Actress at the 18th Goya Awards. Her other films include '' Me ...

Plot

The plot tracks the love story between two

pickpockets Pickpocketing is a form of larceny that involves the stealing of money or other valuables from the person or a victim's pocket without them noticing the theft at the time. It may involve considerable dexterity and a knack for misdirection. A th ...

teaming up together: Álex (raised after age 7 in a foster home) and Sara (a well-off student).

Cast

Production

The screenplay of ''Thieves'' ( directorial feature debut) was penned by Marques Olarreaga alongside Juan Ibáñez, based on an original story by Marques Olarreaga and Enrique López Lavigne. Other crew duties were entrusted to (cinematography), (editing),

Federico Jusid Federico Jusid (born April 23, 1973) is an Argentine composer who resides and works between Madrid and Los Angeles. He has written the scores for more than 40 feature films and over 25 television series. His work includes the score for the Acade ...

(music) and (art direction). The film was a

Estudios Picasso Telecinco Cinema, S.A.U. is the film production division of Mediaset España. It produces both feature films and television films. History Telecinco Cinema is a subsidiary film company of Mediaset España. Formerly known as Estudios Picasso, the ...

, Pentagrama Films and Maestranza Films production. Shooting locations included

Madrid Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), and ...

and

Bilbao ) , motto = , image_map = , mapsize = 275 px , map_caption = Interactive map outlining Bilbao , pushpin_map = Spain Basque Country#Spain#Europe , pushpin_map_caption ...

Reception

Reviewing for ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly larg ...

'', Ray Bennett considered that the film has the "look and feel of a Hollywood vehicle designed to launch its young leads, and that might work, though the film doesn't". Jonathan Holland of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'', considered that "though the contrast between gritty theme and dreamy treatment works fine, pic's good looks are sometimes just self-regarding". Mirito Torreiro of ''

Fotogramas ''Fotogramas'' is Spanish digital and print film magazine which has been in circulation since 1946. It is one of the early film magazines in Spain. History Founded in Barcelona, it was first published on 15 November 1946 by Antonio Nadal-Rodó a ...

'' scored the film with 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the chemistry between Ballesta and Valverde as the best of the film, while citing "some slightly implausible moments" (such as the interrogation) as a negative point.

Release

The film screened at the

Málaga Spanish Film Festival Málaga (, ) is a municipality of Spain, capital of the Province of Málaga, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. With a population of 578,460 in 2020, it is the second-most populous city in Andalusia after Seville and the sixth most pop ...

in March 2007 as part of the festival's official selection. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures International España, it was theatrically released in Spain on 22 June 2007.

Accolades

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, , colspan = "2" , Silver Biznaga. Jury's Special Award , , , , align = "center" ,

References

{{authority control 2007 films 2000s crime drama films 2007 romantic drama films Films shot in Madrid Films shot in Bilbao 2000s Spanish-language films Telecinco Cinema films Spanish romantic drama films Spanish crime drama films Maestranza Films films 2000s Spanish films