Good concept, poorly executed.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

amusing, nice cloth for crazy dreams, fresh and seductive. not a great movie and not part of cinema about thieves elite but very useful for relaxation. because all seems be clever and not very serious. because it is a comedy who use carefully the tension. and Ryan O Neal is really adorable. a film who reminds a lot of others from its period. but who has the science to be original in a nuanced manner. its basic trick - the innocence of a character who discovers in his hobby a form of life exploration. a charming movie. that is all. maybe silly, maybe unrealistic. but useful after a hard work day and as antidote against the blockbusters intoxication.

Webster McGee (superbly realized by Ryan O'Neal) is bored into stupor by his career and life, so much so that his wife (Jill Clayburgh, sparkling in a minor but memorable appearance) left him, and he has come to agree with her for doing so. He also has decided that what all work, all financial endeavors, and all life comes down to is -- thievery. He decides to be true to himself and his newfound convictions and to become "an honest thief." To set his plan into action, he must find and control an unwilling accomplice (terrific performance by Charles Cioffi), and find two cohorts to dispose of the merchandise (hilariously sanctimonious Ned Beatty and street-not-so-wise Gregory Sierra) for profit. That's the premise, and Yorkin adds some incongruous bits along the way for spice and fun. He seduces and is seduced by Jacqueline Bisset, and meets a man who is almost his match in insurance investigator Dave Riley (Warren Oates -- a multifaceted and brilliant performance). Austin Pendelton has an off-the-wall role for comic relief that's perhaps a bit too silly for the otherwise sophisticated quasi-European anti-establishment satirical tone taken by the rest of the movie's tone. But, you have to allow Bud Yorkin one of these, don't you? There's also a fun car chase (sequence perhaps directed by co-writer and later action-director Walter Hill??), and one more ironic twist. The second half of the movie is dominated by the engaging cat-and-mouse game between McGee and Riley.I have now watched this movie three times and find it more enjoyable each time. The imagery in the first-third slows the pace a bit, but stick with it, and I think you will be well rewarded.

"The Thief Who Came to Dinner" is a missed opportunity. It's a comedy that isn't very funny and part suspense/mystery that has neither.Ryan O'Neal plays a jewel thief who falls for (and who wouldn't?) Jacqueline Bisset. Meanwhile insurance investigator Warren Oates is hot on O'Neal's trail.It's a slight film with a few chuckles but nothing else. The film came and went quickly in 1972. It's easy to see why. None of the actors are given much of anything to do outside of O'Neal and his character is not interesting enough to sustain a whole movie.

I saw this movie just last night on the late show (Feb.,00). O'neal did a great job. I never really thought of him as a physical actor, but he did a stellar job. The plot is good and I think it is the earliest performance by Austin Pendelton. I know, it's the earliest for me. I recommend this movie for everyone. Just good clean entertainment.