
Ronald Neame directs Michael Caine, Shirley MacLaine and Herbert Lom in this romantic crime caper centering around a lookalike for rich art collector’s lost wife.
This colourful little timewaster coasts along on star power (Caine is particularly glowing) and smart narrative tricks. The opening swindle (on us the audience it transpires) is an expert bit of storytelling and the final “job” has a killer punchline – one of the best visual gags in movie history. Everything else could move a little quicker or hit a little harder but all in all Gambit proves still a lovely, relaxed method to steal away an afternoon.
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