Ladron Que Roba A Ladron (Thief Robs Thief)

Reviewer: James van Maanen
Rating (out of 5): ***½

One of the more pleasurable movie experiences I've had of late, Ladron Que Roba A Ladron (Thief Robs Thief) is so much better than Ocean's Eleven, Twelve or Thirteen--faster, funnier, shorter and infinitely more meaningful--that's it's hard not to over-praise what is basically a by-the-numbers heist film. But because it's about Latinos in the USA, immigration and its uses/misuses, labor unions and sleazebags who make millions of dollars off the backs of the poor, the movie offers a kick in the pants that its more glamorous and expensive predecessors don't come near. If you detest those lying "infomercials" (and the folk who grow rich off them) that promise everything and deliver zilch, you're gonna love what writer JoJo Henrickson and director Joe Menendez do with this so-ready-for-a-take-down subject.

As obvious as the film appears initially, it offers plenty of small, charming surprises along the way, culminating in a satisfying finale that is as compassionate as it is clever. The cast, many of whom have appeared in Hispanic tele-novelas, is good-looking and competent: While all the characters are drawn broadly, they're also performed well. Menendez will win no prizes for film technique; his movie looks like television. Yet he does his worthwhile job professionally, with plenty of zest and enough panache to carry us along. Films like this one and the upcoming La Misma Luna (due out in March) that dare to address subjects such as immigration and Latinos as both predators and prey should ring bells with mainstream audiences across color and culture lines. Grab this one--and have fun while your consciousness is being raised.