A delightful jeu d’esprit combining yearning romance, gentle action (of the pickpocketing kind), hints of romance, and cinematic dazzle, Sparrow surprises and beguiles. A band of four elegantly proficient Hong Kong pickpockets encounter an irresistibly, dangerously seductive woman. She leads them on a tangled caper whose ultimate purpose is as formally elegant as it is emotionally resonant. The inspiration is French, but much more Demy than Melville. Virtually a musical without songs. And the final, glorious slow motion umbrella sequence is a Berkeley dance number in its physical verve, choreographic complexity, and dedication to maximum visual pleasure. Champagne sparkle with a tender heart. (S. Kraicer)
