Thieves by Law is a wonderful documentary. It is the inside-story of the Russian mafia and their operations throughout the world. Thieves by Law was the first movie I saw at the Tribeca Film Festival and it kicked off the festival for me right. This was also the world premiere of Thieves by Law.
It has lots of personality, heart, and character. It’s unabashed, blunt, and unforgiving. The film unravels shocking revelations about the Russian mob. It is a great look into a rare but prominent world. This world is inhabited by genuinely unique individuals that are very charming and disarming, yet you never forget the power and influence they wield. There are four main characters that the filmmaker follows. Three are former mob bosses and one is a current foot soldier in the Russian mob. Each has friends, a following, and a story that is unique and colorful.
The filmmaker gets access into the private lives of some very wealthy and ferocious men who have earned their livings. They tell their stories with simplistic eloquence. They relate stories of brutality with stone-cold faces. They are deep and brooding and yet very relatable. Amazing characters and well edited to show their personalities.
The movie is very violent. Most of the violence comes from the words spoken by the mafia men. There are some very brutal and powerful images. Great use of stock footage and old news footage showing the results of their actions. The greatest shock value comes from the subjects and how plainly, even comedically, they tell their stories. The violence is very glorified but that is only from the subjects’ words and charm. They suck you in and keep you interested like and Tarantino protagonist.
The standard, bland documentary style emphasizes the stories in stark contrast. I only have one big knock against the film; it can feel a little repetitive at times. The editing style makes certain sections feel very similar. There is a shocking event in Russia’s history, the mobsters give their accounts and inside stories, and then they have their laughs. Not that that’s a terrible set-up, but it can get to feel familiar.
A brutal and sincere film in every great way. A great glimpse into a world seldom seen by outsiders. The characters are well spoken, self-assured, and self-imposed. They are very impressive individuals. The film displays these men in a great way. It is well executed, but it isn’t great.
After the film there was a short question and answer. The director was as disarming as his subjects. Very funny and charming. After meeting him it’s plain to see where the movie got its voice. He was asked about his subjects and he replied simply “we have our rules, they have theirs.”
3.5/5
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