Le Stratège

Josh O’Connor is world’s worst art thief in Kelly Reichardt’s unlikely heist movie.

Shot on film with the grainy warmth that evokes a sleepy 1970 New England municipality as much as it does actual movies from the ‘70s, “The Mastermind” is Reichardt’s version of a heist movie...

...is striking in its simplicity, sitting with its doomed protagonist as the sheer enormity of his actions catches up to him.

...wiggles its way into your psyche, takes root, and leaves you wanting more of something you know you won’t be getting more of anytime soon, which makes the film even more of a treasure.

A heist movie where the heist is the least-interesting part.

The period detail is beautifully done, and the autumn colours mesh perfectly with the ’70s style to create a sense of nostalgia, but there’s something melancholy about this even when it’s at its most playful.