Once a Thief (1991 film)

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Once a Thief

Directed by	John Woo
Produced by	Terence Chang Linda Kuk
Written by	Janet Chun Clifton Ko John Woo
Starring	Chow Yun-Fat Leslie Cheung Cherie Chung Kenneth Tsang
Distributed by	Golden Princess Film Production Limited
Release date(s)	February 2, 1991 (Hong Kong) January 14, 1994 (USA)
Running time	103 min.
Language	Cantonese
IMDb profile

Once a Thief (縱橫四海; Zong heng si hai; literally: Criss-Cross Over Four Seas) is a 1991 film directed and written by John Woo. It stars Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, Kenneth Tsang and Paul Chu Kong in a lighthearted heist themed action-comedy routine. Although the action sequences are quite faithful to Woo's typical choreography, comic relief and the general mood distinguish it from his grittier works, such as his previous film, Bullet in the Head (1990). Fans of the bloodier John Woo movies may find the bizarre mix of Stephen Chow-like mo lei tau rather confusing. Nonetheless, Woo's endeavor to make something lighter amidst his series of heroic bloodshed films translated to somewhat of a box office success in Hong Kong.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The story is of three orphans (Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung) and their two father figures (Kenneth Tsang and Paul Chu). They are taken in by both a wealthy crime boss (Tsang) which leads to their close friendship, and a kind police officer (Chu). Nevertheless, the trio grows up learning high-tech methods of theft and specialize in stealing treasured paintings. After a heist in France goes awry, Chow's character is thought to be dead and Leslie takes Chow's place as Cherie's lover. However, Chow returns in a wheelchair and the group begins planning their next heist for themselves, fall out of favor with Tsang, and various complications and gun battles ensue.