A young boy working in a car repair shop wants to work for a local gangster. He has a tough life at home and work isn't exactly easy and he really feels like it will be his only way of getting somewhere.
It seems that ever since the success of "Chlopaki Nie Placza" Poland has seen a little to many crime films. First of all, one genre gets boring and it hardly portrays an accurate representation of the country. Sure there are gangsters in Warsaw, but aren't they in every big city? Not that all Polish crime films are bad, "Symertria" for one, was a very good and hard hitting drama about some truly rough spots in life, but unlike this film, "Symetria" presented fundamental truths and insights into life and its problems. "To ja, zlodziej" really goes nowhere interesting on top of looking very amateurish. The acting is almost theatrical with its over expressive acting (especially during arguments) and the camera work just plain dull. The only true highlight is the typically good performance by veteran actor Janusz Gajos.
Poland really needs some insightful filmmakers to liven up its post-Soviet cinema. Even the greats like Wajda have worn a bit thin since seem to do just adaptations of literature. That's not wholly bad, but some original movies and story lines that talk about Poland NOW and not in the past would be most welcome. --- 5/10
Not rated, has profanity and some violence which would most likely score it an R by MPAA standards.
