A thoroughly enjoyable caper that doesn’t outstay its welcome, this is Kurt Russell’s first film to make it into a New York theater (albeit for a token run to promote its VOD debut) in seven years, which is far too long, as far as I’m concerned.
Russell celebrates a half-century on the big screen by delightfully playing a motorcycle daredevil named Crash Calhoun, who reluctantly agrees to collaborate with his slimy half brother (welcome back, Matt Dillon) on an art heist — even though Crash ended up doing a 2 ¹/₂-year stretch in a Polish prison last time out.
“The Art of the Steal’’ is more about intricate plotting and double-crosses than the actual caper, which is far too complicated to explain here. Canadian director Jonathan Sobol encourages his excellent cast, which includes the iconic Terence Stamp as a federal informant and Jay Baruchel as the gang’s weakest link, to steal scenes left and right.