Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Written by Charlie Huston
Starring: Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D’Onofrio, Griffin Dunne, and Carol Kane
Well known for his stylistic grit, thematic heaviness, and unique atmosphere, Aronofsky has often pushed boundaries. Classics like Pi (1998), Black Swan (2010), and Requiem for a Dream (2000) justified his auteur status. His movies are, more often than not, a happening. I’m probably one of the few who enjoyed the widely panned but insane and incomprehensible Mother, so I know what I’m getting into. But perhaps that comes with certain expectations, namely character complexities and the relevant twist that jars us out of complacency. But Caught Stealing left me questioning or searching for the film’s intent, or rather its point.
Butler plays Hank Thompson, an ex-top baseball prospect who ruined his future career by killing his friend/teammate in a drunken car crash. Years later, still obsessed with baseball, namely the Giants, he resides in NY, working as a bartender, owned by acid casualty Paul (Dunne). He still calls him mom daily for updates on the Giants’ wild-card chances. Yvonne (Kravitz) is his only bright light in what seems to be a vicious circle of alcoholism and denial.
His punk neighbor, Russ (Smith), inconveniently tasks Hank to look after his cat. In doing so, Hank crosses paths with some criminal types who violently attack him just by being in Russ’ orbit. Violence escalates, and one bad decision leads to another and then another, resulting in a high-octane cat-and-mouse game with Hank just trying to survive.
Set in the 90s, Aronofsky sets the atmosphere in the gritty Lower East Side, with earth tone grays and adequate film grain. Matthew Libatique’s cinematography is slick, and Andrew Weisblum’s editing adds to the film’s fast-paced momentum. Austin Butler is quite good as Hank, as are the rest of the enthusiastic cast in playing their parts. Rob Simonsen’s music, along with Idles’ songs, adds an energy that captures the 90s era New York pre-9/11.
What’s missing here is a likable character, which Hank is not. Not that every movie needs such a character, but Caught Stealing could have used one as its 2nd and 3rd acts lack focus and descend into predictability. The characters’ motivations are ambiguous if not cartoonish at times, and we are left with classic archetypes from movies past. Most of the nice performances are more or less wasted here, as we are led to an aimless conclusion which purports to be a character study of Hank.
Back in the 80s, Martin Scorsese directed a film called After Hours (1985), starring Griffin Dunne, who actually makes a cameo here. There are some similarities to the films, and it’s not out of place to think Aronofsky is making an homage to that. The tone and the cleverness are there, but Caught Stealing resorts to Tarantino-esque violence in trying to get to that payoff, but it just doesn’t get there. If you want to experience a New York film with a bit more subtlety and humor, I’d recommend finding After Hours streaming somewhere. It might be a far more rewarding watch.
Have you seen CAUGHT STEALING? Well, what do you think?
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FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
I still want to see this because I’m a fan of Darren Aronofsky even though I have yet to watch The Whale and that short he made for the Sphere in Las Vegas. My only issue is timing right now.
I saw the short film he made for the Sphere in Vegas, Postcard from Earth, and I really liked it. Unfortunately, I think they stop showing the film there now. I saw it back in the fall of 2023.
Thanks for reminding that The Whale was Aronofsky- that slightly exceeded my expectations in large part (no pun intended) to Fraser’s Oscar winning performance. Sphere thing sounds neat too
the film is slick and fast paced which made others like the film. So there’s a chance you might enjoy.
I agree with a lot of what you wrote here, Vince. But I enjoyed it a bit more than you did. Apparently, this was based a book that I’ve never heard of before and the author also wrote the screenplay for this film. From what I Googled, the film stays pretty close to source material.
But you’re right, by the end, you don’t really know the point of this movie was supposed to be about. And you’re right that none of the characters are likeable and you don’t have a “hero” to cheer for. Despite all of those things, I was not bored with the film. I just went with it. What’s surprising to me was that the film didn’t have a grim ending. I expected something bad to happen but it somehow has a happy ending.
I lived in NYC in the late 90s and early 2000s, so this film really captured that era of the Big Apple. And yes, After Hours is a much better film.
That is a good point Ted. I wasn’t bored either since it’s well put together. My issue is that it’s not quite the sum of its parts.
Ahh you braved, Mother! Good for you. I’ve seen and appreciated his others. Well you pretty much confirmed what I feared from the trailer. A sort of senseless exercise of violence as mere backdrop for some gritty character performances. That *Could be enjoyable, but- maybe I’ll check After Hours out instead.
Aah yes, mother has weirdness going for it. Caught Stealing has Aronofsky style but without the compelling story behind it.
I’m hesitant to trust Aronofsky for this type of movie. It seems… funny and none of the movies I’ve seen by him are funny at all.
yeah that’s another good point!
just a correction: Griffin Dunne is still alive and well.
Sorry for the mishap about Griffin Dune!! Somehow I got him confused with Graham Greene 🤦♀️ Ok Vince now I gotta check out After Hours, that one sounds better and less violent.
no worries, Ruth 🙂 Yes check out After Hours!
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