Before Boogie Nights earned him an Oscar nomination, Burt Reynolds had turned in another against-type, critically well-received performance in this low-key caper about an arthritic burglar (Reynolds) and his youthful apprentice (Casey Siemaszko). The latter, at the time hot off Young Guns, more than holds his own, and Reynolds is invigorated by the loose, long, banter-filled takes.
It's apparent that these character scenes were of most interest to writer John Sayles and (especially) director Bill Forsyth, as the heists the two undertake are lacking in suspense and the plot is allowed to stroll gently to its conclusion.