Klepto (2003)

In Los Angeles, Emily Brown (Meredith Bishop) is a kleptomaniac and addicted in pills that misses her father and is having therapy sessions trying to resolve her compulsion. She has a record in the police for shoplifting, and her mother Teresa (Leigh Taylor-Young) is a compulsive shopper. The security guard Nick (Jsu Garcia) of the Bernstein's department store sees Emily through a camera and becomes fascinated for her. When Nick gets in trouble dealing ecstasy, he presses Emily to help him in a robber of Bernstein."Klepto" is a low budget movie, with an attractive story and good performances. Emily Brown is a shoplifter but the viewer feels sympathy for her nice character. Even the small time crook Nick is a sympathetic character. The conclusion is not romantic but fits perfectly to the story. In the end, "Klepto" is a good entertainment. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Clepto"

I was pleased to find this gem of a film and appreciated its subtle, quirky and "watch"able (no pun intended) take on OCD and how the choices we make affect our lives.It reminded me of Hal Hartley's films- most notably "Trust" - tho these characters, at least Emily, are not quite so dysfunctional and there seemed to be a slightly more positive vibe (or rather less bleak outlook) to this film than Hartley's. Or maybe they seem similar cuz of the synth music ;) which was perhaps my only major criticism of this film which had good acting, camera-work and editing. Being an indie film shouldn't preclude you from having cohesive musical themes for characters or situations across the movie tho. Some of the music felt out of place. But that's my own personal pet peeve.Overall the movie certainly struck a chord for me at the parallels between Emily and Nick and their kinds of stealing and internal drives. And despite wanting a romantic ending for them - the way things turned out *felt right* as their motivations and ultimately their integrity were wholly incompatible and Nick deserved his fate. The parallels of Nick being a criminal like her father left had me wondering about the real truth about her father's life and her happy memories of him as it was obvious the OCD came from her mother's side.There were a few loose ends to this script as the Austin reviewer said but they weren't enough to sway me away from liking it. I also liked Michael Nouri's small role as the amusing & warm psychiatrist- a nice casting touch.I say watch out for Thomas Trail he's up for a promising career! I will certainly look out for more of his films.

Thomas Trail's "Klepto" was a pleasant surprise. It is a fast- paced, tightly plotted character piece that never takes theconventional path. Meredith Bishop gives a great performanceand constructs a sympathetic character that is always fascinatingto watch. The camera work is frenetic, yet controlled. There isclearly a vision behind this film. The story kept me guessing untilthe end, and did not disappoint. I especially like the fact that everycharacter in the piece is both dark and sympathetic, whichdemonstrates a maturity in the writing and conception of the film. Irecommend this to anyone.

I too have seen KLEPTO and consider the listed review from Austin to be wildly inaccurate. KLEPTO is a self-assured directing debut by a director that has a bright future. So what if he chooses to tell a story through multiple angles? Must every film review of every film begin with the Hollywood formula, specifically that a film must follow a singular protagonist through a specific set of paces that we have all become so sensitive to that we can predict them in our sleep?!Tom Trail has the good sense to take the O.C.D. psychological disorder and frame it in a real life situation, make it feel as though it could be the basis for those noises you hear coming through your own apartment wall, the life experience of a neighboring stranger you've never seen...His "Emily" as played by the juicy Meredith Bishop with conviction, despite her having to remain frail and unhinged, falls prey to the wiles and incliniations and ultimate scheme of the devious Security Specialist (watch for Jsu Garcia to become the next Latin male superstar in the Benicio Del Toro mold!). It's not at all "heavy handed" as one reviewer previously reported. It's a dance of sorts, the way "Nick" inserts himself into Emily's life right as her neurotic mother comes to stay for an unwanted visit.For me it was the fascinating and visually strategic lines of two people paths coming together, becoming inextricably intertwined, that was so fun, so involving. This succint (the flick is a brisk 84 minutes) and astute character study breaks out of the gate at race horse's pace and never lets up! The photography, the smaller supporting roles, the music (some of it performed on a classical piano even!), and one of the best single take "long shots" of the year (eat your heart out Scorsese!) all approximate the material to the perfect degree. This film is like a complicated meal, one with many ingredients, all vital to its final finish as a dish...nothing is peppered in here with the "heavy hand" suggested by the previous reviewer and the result? Delicious and full of depth.Find this film, whatever it