The Thief Collector

This documentary is straight-up bonkers. I thought I was in for some mild art history lesson, but instead, I got a *real-life* art heist pulled off by two people who look like they'd host a painfully dull book club in suburbia. Jerry and Rita, though? Absolute legends of petty crime. The fact they hid a $160 million painting like it was just another garage sale trinket? *Chef's kiss*. I can't even find my car keys half the time, and these two hid a priceless piece of art for *decades* without blinking.

The reenactments were on point-just the right mix of quirky and "wait, what the hell am I watching?" It's like if Wes Anderson had a brief true crime phase. Plus, the whole story just keeps twisting and turning, and I found myself laughing at how these two completely normal-seeming people somehow outsmarted the art world's elite for so long. How did no one ever suspect them? They were out there stealing masterpieces while looking like they just returned from a weekend pottery class.

Knocked off half a star because I wanted more juicy details on *why* they did it! Like, sure, stealing a masterpiece is cool and all, but what's the motivation here? I need that behind-the-scenes psychological deep dive. Still, *The Thief Collector* is a wild, hilarious ride that makes you wonder if your friendly neighbors might have some stolen Van Gogh hanging behind their drywall. I'd recommend this to anyone who loves art, true crime, or just wants to feel *really* underachieving compared to these low-key masterminds.

If you recall the last proper edition of the BBC sitcom "Only Fools and Horses", you''ll remember that "Del" and "Rodney" discover an old watch that turns out to be worth millions at auction. Well this is a real take on that scenario, as house clearance folks are brought in to clear the ranch of a deceased, ostensibly middle-class, American couple. On the wall in the bedroom they discover a painting. These guys are pretty knowledgable, and suspecting it might be worth something contact the experts who identify it as a long-missing painting by Willem de Kooning that was stolen from an Arizona museum. On further exploration of their home, the inspectors soon discover that this couple had quite a collection of things that had "gone missing" and we are soon presented with some rather fascinating facts around just how they went around the world "collecting" as they went. Their photographs offered an ideal portrait of a typically unassuming American couple, yet they seem to have been astonishingly adept at relieving owners of just about everything from artwork to rugs. With contributions from their friends and neighbours, the FBI and the incredulous (and engaging) clearance men this is actually quite an entertaining look at the sheer audacity of their behaviour and of their successful "in plain sight" attitudes that served both well. Can't say I cared too much for the painting - but now worth a nine figure sum, I'm sure the museum were glad to get it back - even if it took 30-odd years.

Ignore the average rating - this is a good documentary.

The story of a married couple who worked in education and loved exotic overseas adventures, yet who also had a stolen $100m dollar painting on the wall of their home is interesting enough on its own. But as the documentary delves deeper, aided by the many photographs and writings the couple left behind, even more questions are raised about what they got up to while they were alive.

Yes, it starts quite steadily, and the re-enactments seem a bit hammy at first, but persevere and you will be rewarded with a well crafted documentary about an astonishing story.

I am a relative of the Alters. It is a shame people are continuing to capitalize on what happened and ruin their reputation, even though the FBI does not believe they did it. Remember, the security guard at the museum said it was 2 men in their 20's, one of them dressed like an old women. I read early on that it was thought to possibly be gang initiation... related and the picture was probably dumped over the border in Mexico.

My aunt and uncle used to pick up all sorts of stuff at flea markets and home sales.

Here, in this film, they have Rita stealing handbags!!??

Their nephew has been interviewed since the pucture was discovered and tried to relate to people that this is not the character of the Alters, nor their lifestyle.

Yes, I can see where the idea of it could be exciting to the masses, but the truth is non existent here and their good reputation is being ruined by those seeking to capitalize on this unfortunate incident.

It's a truly interesting story of a family in new mexico. Jerry and rita alter have very modest jobs, but seem to take fancy, frequent vacations. To far-away exotic places. And have wild adventures. But how can they afford it? It turns out they are art thieves who stole a famous painting back in 1985. When they have both passed away, the painting is found in their house, which we discover right at the start of this film. But what else have they done? Are they also selling artifacts found on their adventures? Jerry actually wrote a book of short stories, which all sound much like confesions to crimes. And maybe even a much bigger crime! It's a very compelling story, but there are a couple things I think would have helped to complete the picture. First, the first time we watch the film, it's confusing when they switch back and forth from reading from jerry's book, then back to reality. After watching the film once, it all makes more sense. Second, the mystery raised right at the end of this film is never really resolved. The police investigator seems to have retired. We watch a guy use radar on the alter's back yard, which is now owned by someone else. Was there another crime committed? Was no-one willing to pay to dig up the septic tank? Was money the reason we never resolve what might have been a huge, bigger crime? It's a very interesting, true story, but sometimes confusing. And why do we never see or hear from the alter's two children mentioned early in the film. They don't seem to play any part here, except for the childhood photos shown. Directed by allison otto.