Jesse is a pickpocket, ably and stealthily stealing from people on the streets of the city where he lives. He racks up wallets, goods and money with aplomb, with the city as his playground. But then he encounters a rival pickpocket, who's equally as good as him -- and refuses to cede any territory to Jesse. But even as a spar, they seem to spark a connection and wonder if working together might be even better than being the best on their own. Directed and written by D.C. Fairhurst, who also plays Jesse, this energetic, charming comedy is both a fresh, charming take on a small-time crime caper and a potential meeting of minds between two supposed rivals who discover they have more in common -- and perhaps more chemistry -- than they thought. Shot in black-and-white recalling old Hollywood capers and hand-held camerawork that evokes the great urban fables of the French New Wave, the film opens with Jesse plying his trade, fleecing unsuspecting people he passes on the streets. Scored with a jazz-like, percussive score, the sequence revels in Jesse's abilities, as shady as they are. He's a trickster, mischievous and clever, and incredibly good at what he does.
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But when he finds himself being pickpocketed, he encounters his match in Robin, a cheeky young woman. He chases after her, then takes her out to a drink, trying to make a deal over which pickpocket gets which territory. The drink leads to a full-on hangout, as Robin and Jesse find they have a lot in common and enjoy one another's company. There could even be a flicker of romantic spark between them; certainly, their energy verges on the flirtatious at times, captured in freewheeling, seeming casual storytelling that reflects the free spirits of the story's protagonists. The story is well-paced, carefully building up their rapport and affinity with one another, and actors Lucy Green and Fairhurst hop and skip between annoyance, intrigue and appreciation of one another, as they talk shop and realize they both are very good at their trade. At first, their meeting is one of negotiation, but as their cat-and-mouse game builds momentum, they soon find themselves teaming up -- and wondering if they're better together as collaborators than competitors. Entertaining, engaging and imbued with an offhand stylishness, "This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us" takes two appealing rogues and puts them on a collision course that turns into a cagey, appealingly slippery dance that's fun to watch as it unfolds. At first, it seems to be a sparring match that turns into a possible jitterbug between two like-minded spirits. But of course, knowing these two, nothing is as it seems on the surface, and there's always a surprise or two up the sleeve.
Omeleto
