Sunday, May 9, 1:30 PM, Charles Theatre 2

Director: Jacob Kornbluth

Cast: Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Silverman, David Warshofsky, Audra McDonald, Lois Smith, Margo Martindale

Country: U.S.
Year: 2004
Running Time: 90 minutes
Format: Beta SP

We’ve all been told growing up isn’t easy, but The Best Thief in the World goes way beyond the cliche. It focuses on the surprising world of one young boy, Izzy. Izzy lives in a tough neighborhood in NYC, but people around him are caring. He’s surrounded by a “normal” family- mother, father and siblings- but in a real sense he’s alone. Izzy’s Mom is doing her best, but her job as a public school English teacher hardly provides enough money to care for her family, and her newly stroke-afflicted husband presents new and unfamiliar challenges. Daily life is frayed, and getting worse.

Izzy sets out on his own to create a world he can grow up in. Unpretentious, and a little jealous of the attention everyone else seems to be getting from his Mom, Izzy is truly curious about the world around him. He breaks some rules, learns that some peers can be trusted some of the time, and tests himself physically. Adult viewers will worry for Izzy as he tests limits, but they will be charmed by his imagination and bravery. Everyone will probably wish that growing up could always be easy.

Centered by extraordinary performances, including Mary Louise Parker as the Mom and Michael Silverman as Izzy, The Best Thief in the World digs beneath the bromides about family life and lets you inhabit one complicated twelve year old life in a new and refreshing way.

-- Jed Dietz

Baltimore area members of the Maryland Filmmakers Fellowship selection team: Jim Dale, Arthur Fergenson, Richard Konigsberg, Dan Krovich, Liz Malis, and Paula Rome.