★ 7 / 10
If you recall the last proper edition of
CinemaSerf
If you recall the last proper edition of the BBC sitcom "Only Fools and Horses", you''ll remember that "Del" and "Rodney" discover an old watch that turns out…
If you recall the last proper edition of the BBC sitcom "Only Fools and Horses", you''ll remember that "Del" and "Rodney" discover an old watch that turns out to be worth millions at auction. Well this is a real take on that scenario, as house clearance folks are brought in to clear the ranch of a deceased, ostensibly middle-class, American couple. On the wall in the bedroom they discover a painting. These guys are pretty knowledgable, and suspecting it might be worth something contact the experts who identify it as a long-missing painting by Willem de Kooning that was stolen from an Arizona museum. On further exploration of their home, the inspectors soon discover that this couple had quite a collection of things that had "gone missing" and we are soon presented with some rather fascinating facts around just how they went around the world "collecting" as they went. Their photographs offered an ideal portrait of a typically unassuming American couple, yet they seem to have been astonishingly adept at relieving owners of just about everything from artwork to rugs. With contributions from their friends and neighbours, the FBI and the incredulous (and engaging) clearance men this is actually quite an entertaining look at the sheer audacity of their behaviour and of their successful "in plain sight" attitudes that served both well. Can't say I cared too much for the painting - but now worth a nine figure sum, I'm sure the museum were glad to get it back - even if it took 30-odd years.
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★ 8 / 10
It is rare that one can become completely
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots
It is rare that one can become completely enamored with a documentary film, but director Allison Otto‘s “The Thief Collector” grabbed be from the opening…
It is rare that one can become completely enamored with a documentary film, but director Allison Otto‘s “The Thief Collector” grabbed be from the opening frame. This true story of a museum heist in the mid-1980s features an interesting topic filled with twists and turns, exceptional storytelling, and is a wildly entertaining film that will especially appeal to art lovers.
The day after Thanksgiving in 1985, a couple wearing simple disguises walked into the University of Arizona’s art museum. The wife distracted a museum guard while her husband literally cut one of the most valuable paintings of the 20th century, Willem de Kooning’s “Woman-Ochre,” from its frame. The pair ran out into the desert, leaving behind no fingerprints.
The criminals turned out to be New Mexico teachers Rita and Jerry Alter, who hung the painting behind the door of their bedroom for decades. The couple lived in a modest house in the small town of Cliff, but neighbors were always a bit suspicious of their outlandish trips around the world (some even speculate that they were financing these luxury excursions by selling stolen goods on the international black market). It was only after Rita’s death in 2017 that the missing painting was discovered by an antique shop that purchased their estate for just $2,000.
It’s a fantastic story that gets even stranger from there. Since much of the joy is in discovering the (downright bonkers) surprises that are revealed, I’ll keep this review spoiler-free. I will say that Jerry and Rita were indeed criminal masterminds, if certain parts of their story are to be believed. They also weren’t exactly the most upstanding citizens either, living their lives in a murky area where the lines of fantasy and reality were blurred.
The film features talking head interviews from family members, art historians, neighbors, and members of the FBI’s art crime team. The Alter’s story is told through old photos, police reports, and Jerry’s own “book of exotic tales.” Otto makes it fun by interjecting amusing, tongue-in-cheek reenactments that complement the mind bending story.
The documentary is never dry or boring, and the structure is masterful. Taking a clever approach that gets audiences to care about who stole the painting and why, the outcome of the crime is revealed first, which fosters a natural curiosity about Jerry and Rita’s background. There are several jaw-dropping revelations that are unveiled with perfect timing as Otto peels away the layers of the story. You couldn’t ask for a better understanding of documentary film directing.
The story goes places you’d never expect, and “The Thief Collector” raises some interesting discussion topics about the nature of collectors and the dark lives the Alters may have led. It’s one of the more compelling topics for a documentary film, and it’s one enthralling ride from start to finish.
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★ 7 / 10
a stolen painting.. and the people who took it.
ksf-2
It's a truly interesting story of a family in new mexico. Jerry and rita alter have very modest jobs, but seem to take fancy, frequent vacations. To far-away…
It's a truly interesting story of a family in new mexico. Jerry and rita alter have very modest jobs, but seem to take fancy, frequent vacations. To far-away exotic places. And have wild adventures. But how can they afford it? It turns out they are art thieves who stole a famous painting back in 1985. When they have both passed away, the painting is found in their house, which we discover right at the start of this film. But what else have they done? Are they also selling artifacts found on their adventures? Jerry actually wrote a book of short stories, which all sound much like confesions to crimes. And maybe even a much bigger crime! It's a very compelling story, but there are a couple things I think would have helped to complete the picture. First, the first time we watch the film, it's confusing when they switch back and forth from reading from jerry's book, then back to reality. After watching the film once, it all makes more sense. Second, the mystery raised right at the end of this film is never really resolved. The police investigator seems to have retired. We watch a guy use radar on the alter's back yard, which is now owned by someone else. Was there another crime committed? Was no-one willing to pay to dig up the septic tank? Was money the reason we never resolve what might have been a huge, bigger crime? It's a very interesting, true story, but sometimes confusing. And why do we never see or hear from the alter's two children mentioned early in the film. They don't seem to play any part here, except for the childhood photos shown. Directed by allison otto.
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90%
TOMATOMETER
· 39 reviews
84%
AUDIENCE
6.8/10
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