Lying and Stealing (2019) User Reviews

Maybe a Rainy Night Watch

[larrys3 · 6/10 · 3 January 2020]

Theo James ably portrays Ivan here, trying to pay off his father's debt to a despicable mob boss (Fred Melamed) by stealing high-end artwork and selling the pieces on the "gray market".

The film tries to be quite dark with its erotic scenes and cool banter, but it never seemed to cohere into a consistently entertaining movie However, some of it does work and I thought it ended cleverly.

All in all, I certainly have seen worse films, so I'd say maybe a rainy night watch.

Better than Expected; Could/Should Have Been Better

[leftbanker-1 · 5/10 · 15 July 2019]

I didn't expect anything from this and I found it watchable. The art thieving all came a little too easily. I liked the bad guy character, the tubby old guy. I've always liked him although I can't recall his name. Maybe it's better not knowing, tat way I always see him for the part he's playing--the mark of a truly good actor.

The story just sort of devolves into silliness and really doen't make much sense. His brother's character never really gets off the ground, but not from lack of trying...or screen time.

I like the whole idea of stealing from rich creeps, most of whom wouldn't know a true masterpiece from a child's painting.

A decent movie.

[cinema_lover97 · 6/10 · 23 December 2019]

Movie was decent and acting was okay. Direction was okay, definitely liked the camerawork and color grading. The script played very safe in terms of thrilles and stakes. It was a very light watch for a crime-drama. A one time watch and then you will forget about it in a day.

What's not to like?

[Gordon-11 · 15 December 2019]

This film has an upbeat tone, an engaging story, stylish locations and beautiful leads. What's not to like? I very much enjoyed watching it.

Average...

[Thanos_Alfie · 5/10 · 4 February 2023]

"Lying and Stealing" is a Thriller - Drama movie in which we watch an art thief trying to get out of his past life while he meets an aspiring actress who has some problems including a high debt. They both want to change their lives and they will try their best to succeed.

Since I did not have high expectations from this movie, I was not disappointed by it. It's the classic style of a movie that you will watch just to spend your time without expecting anything more than that. The direction that was made by Matt Aselton was simple and good for this kind of movie. While the interpretations of both Theo James who played as Ivan Warding and Emily Ratajkowski who played as Elyse Tibaldi were average. To sum up, I have to say that "Lying and Stealing" is a simple movie with no big surprises or plot twists so, if you have not any other movie to watch just spend your time with this one.

Not the best heist movie but it wasn't bad either.

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 15 April 2020]

Lying And Stealing might not be the best heist movie ever but it doesn't pretend to be the best heist movie so it's okay. The heists are quite simple, nothing sofisticated at all, most of the time they just walk out with the art, but it's entertaining and that was enough for me. It could have used more suspense to make it a really good movie, you never have that feeling with any of the heists and that's a bit of a letdown. The acting wasn't bad, the cinematography was good, so all in all it's worth a watch, just don't expect a gem.

Pointless

[Pat100 · 2/10 · 16 February 2020]

What a dull, boring, mess of a film. I watched it all to see what happened Then it ended. Nothing happened. How could they spend so long making a film about nothing? The action rolled on as they set the scene for ... Nothing! (Well, for the credits!) It's as if they forgot to put anything between the beginning and the end.

And loving (?)

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 21 April 2021]

Theo James is a good looking man - there is nothing wrong with saying that. Same goes for Emily R. (I won't try her last name, because I do not want to do it injustice, having a difficult last name myself, I know what that is like) - and there is nothing wrong with stating that. She had a small role in Gone Girl and is better known for her modeling career.

But before you critisize her for just looking good, the same could be said about Theo James. The story or crime thriller/caper or whatever you want to call it, is decent enough. You can see most of the twists coming along the way ... still quite enjoyable to watch, which is enough to not be mad at this. At least for me.

It's just awful

[abdycook · 1/10 · 16 July 2019]

Good actors and actress doesn't mean it gonna be a good movie. Both lead cast Theo and Emily indeed beautiful but the story is disaster. Too many plot holes, unrelated scene. I'm literally hoping to be a great twist in the end not just flat but downlining. Okay the crime part was good but not special. Even the background story of everything about art in this movie can't safe it. Not giving me any shock moments. It stressing me out how can you make it so bad. You have a good premise about steal art stuff but yet miserably fail. Dissatisfied.

Forgettable

[bastos · 6/10 · 12 September 2021]

I usually like these kind of movies, the heist/con genre, but to pull it off you need a good script and, more importantly, charismatic leads to make it all seem cool. The Sting, The Thomas Crown Affair, Ocean's Eleven, they all had that intangible that made them really cool and fun movies to watch. This movie lacks that charisma that makes these classics so much fun. It makes it feel boring to be a thief, and it tries hard to be cool, but, as someone wiser once said, you don't try to be cool, you either are or are not, and, unfortunately, Theo James is no Paul Newman. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on this film as it still has its charm and some good character actors that I really like, such as Fred Melamed that is always wonderful or Isiah Whitlock Jr. It is an enjoyable watch and I wasn't mad at the screen, but the main flaw is that it is ultimately very forgettable.

Lying and Stealing is a mediocre B-movie that just wants to show off its good-looking leads, Emily Ratajkowski and Theo James.

[Paragon240 · 5/10 · 19 November 2022]

Lying and Stealing is an altogether forgettable film that basically serves as a vehicle to parade its attractive stars across the screen without doing much else. I watched the entire thing on an airplane and immediately had difficulty remembering what I had just seen. The predictable run-of-the-mill plot didn't do anything to set itself apart from any other heist-focused B-movie. Everything seemed way too simple and easy to steal. Theo James and Emily Ratajkowski did a decent job in their roles but there wasn't much to work with n the script. It really isn't the worst thing I have ever seen, but it is absolutely not worth your time.

Not too bad of a B-grade film, coming from a newb writer/director.

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 8/10 · 13 July 2019]

This certainly isn't a film that everyone will be raving about, but hey, filmmakers have to start somewhere right? Considering that point, this film was no too bad to say the least.

This is newb filmmaker Matt Aselton's second writing credit, and third directing credit. Yes there were some flaws in the writing - plot issues and pacing, but the directing (camera work) was actually on point - aside from the few slo-mo scenes, and his inexperience in directing his cast was evident. Otherwise, mad respect for Matt Aselton's final result.

Theo James and Emily Ratajkowski worked well together, and their characters where somewhat convincing, but again, that (somewhat ) was from the lack of experience from the director. Fred Melamed was also decent in his slimy/creepy boss-man role as Dimitri.

I also feel the film could've been edited a little better, and perhaps down from the 100 min length, to about 85-90 mins, with faster pacing.

Nevertheless, for a low budget B-grade film from a newbie filmmaker, I still enjoyed it and was quite impressed with Aselton's third ever film.

It certainly is undeserving of the current low rating... people need to learn how to rate a film based on its merits, and not compare it to big budget Hollywood films with A-list cast and filmmakers. So it's a well deserving 7.5 rounded up to an 8/10 from me. Mad props for the producers to not fill IMDb with fake reviews, as most new low budget films have. And if anyone is questioning my review as being fake, click on my username to see my 600+ reviews and 1000+ ratings - and read my profile on how to properly rate a film.

Not great, but not bad

[philfeeley · 7/10 · 17 July 2019]

All the characters - except for the little girl - including the FBI agent, have no redeeming qualities. But that's the world this film is exploring: thieves and those who hang around them - including killers and "law" chasing them.

The main actors worked well together, and the plot they were exploring was reasonably interesting. Worth a watch.

It Was Okay

[itsbobr · 5/10 · 14 August 2019]

Ivan Warding (Theo James) is working off his father's debt to the Greek Dimitri (Fred Melamed) by stealing art works from wealthy art patrons. He teams up with Elyse (Emily Ratajkowski) to help him get out from under the Greek, but an FBI Agent (Isiah Whitlock Jr) appears to be locking in on Ivan. Oh, oh.

Most of the movie is watching Ivan steal and get away with it. This is not a comedy but we do hear some good lines all around. We do watch a good conversation/interview between the FBI Agent (character name not given in the credits) and Ivan in a diner. The FBI Agent knows what Ivan is doing and wants Ivan's boss.

We see good chemistry between Theo James and Emily Ratajkowski and she is pretty and can act too.

However, there are 3-scenes that didn't make any sense to me: (1) The FBI Agent urinates in his partner's desk drawer. Why? (2) Dimitri apparently sends someone to Ivan's apartment to find the Hitler painting which he didn't find, and makes off with a safe. Do we see what was in the safe? No. Why? (3) We see Ivan doing something with a glass of water, we think it was water. What was all that about? Never explained.

Apparently many scenes were cut, but the story needed something more than just watching Ivan steal things and hear some good banter.

Notable: Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ray, Ivan's bipolar brother.

Even with the questions above, this was still entertaining and was okay to say the least. (5/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: Yes. Nudity; Yes, brief. Humor: Some good lines are heard. Language: No. Rating: C

To Catch a Thief

[lavatch · 5/10 · 24 August 2019]

"Lying and Stealing" was interesting in the development of the central character named Ivan, a clever young man working as an art thief in order to pay off his late father's gambling debts.

Early in the film, there are lively scenes with Ivan pulling off his incredible heists. Along the way, he meets a young woman named Elyse, an actress who claims that she was blackballed from working in Hollywood due to an unscrupulous producer. The pair join forces to mutually aid one another in their endeavors.

The other major character is a nefarious "art consultant" named Dimitry, who is collecting on the gambling debts of Ivan's wayward father. Dimitry is the main object of an FBI agent, who is trying to get at Dimitry by following Ivan. One of the best moments in the film is a lengthy monologue spoken by the FBI agent using the saltiest of language while in a diner with Ivan.

Unfortunately, the good potential was not realized in the second half of the film. The relationship of Ivan and Elyse never got on track because they were so busy in role-playing and covering up the truth to each other. Their best scene together was the impersonation of a hipster couple claiming to be interested in purchasing an expensive home in Costa Mesa, so that Ivan could case the joint for rare art work. But the film imploded with an unsatisfactory and predictable ending that did not make the viewer want to return for a sequel of "Lying and Stealing."

Following the film's opening credits, there was a quote that appeared on the screen from one of the Yiddish proverbs: "When a thief kisses you, count your teeth." At the start, the film appeared to have pretensions of examining how the sociological dimension of trust has evaporated from our society. But, in the final analysis, this was at heart an ordinary heist film.

Lying and Stealing

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 7/10 · 25 August 2019]

7/10 - very violent heist movie with an enjoyable plot and cast makes for a good, if not perfect, movie night

I wanted to like it, But...

[docm-32304 · 4/10 · 29 January 2021]

This film just felt like it was being put together as they filmed so it had a bit of a convoluted, broken storyline to me. I liked the main character and the second lead, just sort of appeared halfway into the film for no particular reason at all.

A well executed B-movie

[ok-patrick · 6/10 · 24 August 2019]

Despite not being all that memorable, it does have its own firm legs to stand on and is pretty enjoyable. Cast and crew did a pretty decent job and never once did I feel that my time was stolen throughout the film, which is saying something nowadays. As pointed out by others, pacing could use a bit of tightening but more of a nitpicking point on our viewer-behalf. Solid 6 stars from yours truly.

Some people should not be doing movies

[jfxfxz · 5/10 · 26 September 2021]

The idea had potential, the actors were fine, everything else (starting with the direction) was a disaster.

Not Bad

[movieliker1 · 6/10 · 13 July 2021]

I thought the acting was good. Especially Theo James. I found his character convincing, interesting and written well. Also kudos to Ebon Moss-Bachrach (the brother) and Isiah Whitlock Jr. (the FBI agent). I wasn't terribly impressed with Emily Ratasjkowki. Her part was cliche. And her acting went from okay to unconvincing.

The writing was good in the beginning. But it fell apart in the end. At the very least, it left lots of questions.

• First of all, who's house was that they used for the big sting? I guess we are supposed to assume the characters - being who they were - scoped out a house where they knew nobody would be home, and the bypassed the alarm.

I guess we are also supposed to assume they cleaned up the crime scene from murder, to look like an overdose. That is a lot for the viewer to assume. Never addressed.

• Secondly, after the police are tipped off to the supposed OD, what was the mark doing in that house? He didn't know the house or the owners. He's a rich guy who just breaks into a stranger's house to drink wine and do cocaine? Don't you think that would be a big red flag to the detectives investigating the case?

• Thirdly, why would the mark request an art piece that is in the Guggenheim be stolen from a random middle income house when he knows the thief is knowledgeable about art, and does his research? And after the murder is foiled, why would the thief text the mark that the piece was stolen when both knew it wasn't in the said home? Wouldn't that be a tip off to the mark that he was being set up?

I found it mildly engaging and entertaining. I liked most of the acting. The dialogue was good. I watched it from beginning to end. But like most movies, the writing fell apart.

Bad Bad Movie

[marco-930-623061 · 1/10 · 29 November 2019]

Please, dont whats this movie. Its empty story. Good looking actor Theo James and a gril. Nothing else. Story was stupid and thin like a spider string.

Okay but lacked a little umph

[lopezpatricia-06139 · 8/10 · 14 November 2020]

Good con man / heist movie. The lead was very slick and his co star was as well. So why do I feel there was something lacking. It's an all's well that ends well movie. I would definitely watch a sequel if one should be made.

Jets Won

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 22 July 2019]

Ivan (Theo James) owes "The Greek" (Fred Melamed) money, a debt created by his father. He steals artwork to pay off the debt. He also has a bipolar brother (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) living with him. Along the way he meets Elyse (Emily Ratajkowski) another scam artist who wants a piece of the action.

This is another heist/flim-flam film that was made enjoyable by the individual scenes. The overall plot was repetitious and flat. The characters were thrust at us and the background came later. The character building could have been better. It did have many good scenes.

Guide: F-word, sex, nudity (uncredited)

Boring

[gladys64 · 3/10 · 24 January 2020]

Dull dull dull. Way to long. Don't even bother. Only writing more as it won't submit any shorter. It's just not worth the words

Beyond boring.

[kimbpaul · 1/10 · 10 August 2021]

Slowwwww. Boring as hell. Y'all pass on this one. No character development, Emily what's-her-name is a lousy actress. The crazy brother is an a-hole. No chemistry between any of the characters. The Grand National muscle car was the best "character "