Thief of Hearts (1984)

Such a frustrating disappointment

best movie i've ever seen.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I saw this film IN 1984 and loved it. To this day, every time I see Steven Bauer, David Caruso or Barbara Willians I flashback to this film. It left a lasting impression on me both for its chilling concept and it's execution of the story. The acting, soundtrack, locations and cinematography were all great and the film was both intimate and erotic yet as chilling and scary as a Hitchcock film. The chemistry between the leads was electric and believable. Steven Bauer's looks certainly didn't hurt either. I'm surprised it got some bad reviews ... it's one that will always stick in my mind as very entertaining.

Sexy Steven Bauer is a master thief, where his co partner, a younger David Caruso run a very lucrative operation. Bauer this time, makes the mistake of falling in love, on the account of a diary he steals, among many other possessions of this rich couple. When reading it, he becomes aware of the woman's pent up fantasies if she were another character, loose and daring. Trapped in a marriage, with a successful yet egotistical writer of children's books, we can tell deep down, she yearns for more. Obviously this marriage isn't perfect, where entire fault lies on the husband's ignorance, that finally drives this woman to accept the sexual advances of Bauer, posing as an interested client of her decorating business, where soon he's making his fantasies a reality, without laying it on too thick of course, so she doesn't put two and two.... This of course brings jealously from husband (the versatile Getz) where eventually things go out of control, which has Bauer slugging him. And honestly Getz deserves it. Even Getz's friend (George Wendt) explains his problem of narcissism, to which really his point falls on death ears. Actor Bauer is something of a surprise. He brings a magnetism and mystic character to this sexy stranger who sends the love boat of this married couple rocking. With it's highly original premise which set a lot of other films apart, Thief Of Hearts can't overcome a slight if enigmatic dullness about it. Not exactly a money spinner, there are some sexy moments and some cool scenes, like the slick robbery pulled off at the Davis house, in it's opening. Speaking of openings, it's opening song I loved, more than it's title song, the opening night shot of the Golden Gate bridge in what looks like heavy fog breaking, I must say is one of the best bits. We also see younger hottie Windsor, a street hustler, earning some bucks, candidly f..king Bauer, who declines, his mind preoccupied with another woman. A few scenes later, he passes again on another offer, this time two college girls, making some extra lucre. We also see a beaver shot of Windsor, slipping into a pair of jeans, before she's over compensated for her troubles. What happened to her after Howling 4? This dull, yet intriguing movie, that entices you with it's story, is also slightly 9 and a half week'ish, it's ending I thought was cool when first seeing the movie at fifteen. Although I mentioned a dullness about it, it's just the way I saw it, in no way, it's story rushed. Not to say, this doesn't without recommendation, though for some impatient viewers, it might have them a little vexed in the two's slow building relationship of this movie, some scenes almost ceasing to exist.

I don't care if the screenplay is superficial or not ... maybe it is, but anyway ... when I immerse into this movie, I see almost my own life in it. Myself, some years ago, a bored housewife. Driving a Beetle. Telling not her diary but Facebook her whole life. Fell in love with some stranger through the internet, who knew all my secrets. The coincidences are striking.The breathtaking scenery of San Francisco and the soundtrack, which brings tears of joy in every Eighties-fan eyes, this movie is one of my absolute favorites. I'm addicted to this movie like to Rum Raisin. Have to see it on and on, every year.The only thing I do not understand and where I disagree with Mickey, is her choice of letting Scott go in the last scene. I would immediately jump on his motorbike - and in my real life I did! For five years I have been married to my Thief of Hearts and this movie is OUR film.

This movie was bitterly panned upon its release, and I see a number of IMDB's reviewers agree with the original critics. I don't get it, except that this movie does such a good idea of taking you inside Stephen Bauer's character and what he is doing is so creepy that people react viscerally to him instead of the movie. The movie is engrossing, brilliantly photographed and well-paced. The camera angles and the chemistry between Bauer and Williams are reminiscent of what Hitchcock tried to do in Vertigo, but much less forced and contrived. All these characters behave in character. I really consider this one of the best romantic thrillers of all time. Yes, it is erotic. Why is that a bad thing? 10/10.