Some directors have a style that is easily recognizable. From the moment the movie starts you can tell who directed it, even if there are no opening credits. Sometimes, however, another director tries to imitate that style, making it much hard to determine who the man behind the camera is. Caught Stealing is that movie. From the beginning it feels and looks like a Guy Ritchie movie, when it fact it’s a movie by someone else. Someone who usually has a much different style that is just as recognizable. Darren Aronofsky took the lead on this one, but it’s not like anything from his previous work.

Hank (Austin Butler) is a former baseball prodigy who ruined his career before it could even get started. He spends his time bartending at a local bar, while wooing the beautiful Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz). One night after returning home his neighbour Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to look after his cat while he rushes out of town. Unfortunately for Hank, Russ didn’t tell him everything he needed to know, including the fact that he’d ripped off some local criminals and was in a fair bit of trouble. Before he knows it Hank finds him self hip deep in the same trouble, while trying figure out what’s going on.

Saying the film feels like a Guy Ritchie film isn’t a big criticism, but it does take a little something away from it. Homages are one thing. But from the quirky cast of characters, to the off beat story and shocking turn of events, Caught Stealing feels more like a copycat film instead of one that does it’s own thing. It’s not like Aronofsky can’t do his own thing either. He’s made a career of creating films with compelling characters and strong stories. He should have at least kept a little bit of his own style in the film, which might have just helped the film stand out a bit more than it does.

Austin Butler shows why he’s such a hot commodity at the moment. Not only for his Hollywood good looks, but also because of his strong acting abilities. He made you truly feel for his character. The supporting cast, including Regina King, Bad Bunny, Vincent D’Onofrio and Liev Schreiber, are pretty good as well though. Everyone stands out, from the Russian thugs to the Jewish “monsters” and Smith’s punk rock thief.  There really was no character who didn’t stand out for some reason or another.

On the whole, Caught Stealing is a pretty decent film, and worth seeing in the theatre. While there were a few scenes that didn’t need to be included, the film itself is enjoyable. Some scenes might be a little shocking (not to mention graphic), but others will make you laugh as well. Like most Guy Ritchie movies though, the audience leans more on the male side of things. Namely it’s the movie you’d see with your buddies, rather than your girlfriend or wife.