An essay in the art of thievery as Nick Nolte’s grizzled American expat plans a daring heist on the Monte Carlo casino, and Jordan remakes Jean-Paul Melville’s 1956 classic of Gallic cool, Bob Le Flambeur. It’s hardly a direct copy, since the plot’s re-conceived to include Emir Kursturica in fine fettle as a hi-tech security expert, yet the solid provenance seemingly allows the movie to relax in its own skin and mosey amiably towards the climactic break-in.

Admittedly, some stylistic flourishes out-stay their welcome, though cameraman Chris Menges conjures something wonderful from the Riviera’s combination of tourist seediness and azure light.

Showing as part of our Neil Jordan Retrospective which runs throughout May. His new film, Byzantium, opens on May 31st.

See our online exhibition of some of Neil Jordan’s substantial document collections held by the IFI Irish Film Archive.