Perhaps the only one of John Woo movies to qualify as a "date" movie. "Once A Thief" (1991) is a light-hearted romp, an art-heist romantic comedy set in classy French locations, starring handsome Chow Yun Fat (Yun-Fat Chow), lithe, smoldering Leslie Cheung (Cheung Kwok Wing) and luscious Cherie Chung (Cho-Hung Chung), one of the prettiest menage a trois on film.
In flashbacks, we see the three as starving street urchins being taught crime by an abusive, older crook. We then see them rescued by a good policeman who sweetly encourages them to go straight. Luckily for us, the three can't resist a criminal challenge, leading us through several cat-burglar capers filled with comic derring do.
With movie kung-fu, hilariously inventive car chase stunts, improbable gun fights, one absolutely goofy explosion, plus Cherie Chung, exquisite in a formal evening gown, ballroom dancing a tango with tuxedoed Chow in a wheelchair - John Woo's "Once a Thief" is pure movie fun!

