Joe (Chow), Jim (Leslie Cheung, Happy Together) and Cherie (Cherie Chung) have been partners in crime ever since their childhoods spent on the streets stealing to survive. Now world-class art thieves, their relationships and lives are put on the line when they agree to one last mission: steal a multi-million dollar painting for a mysterious client who's bent on revenge.
 


Editor's Note

A close-knit trio of dashing art thieves (Chow Yun-Fat, Leslie Cheung, and Cherie Chung) undertake one last lucrative job before their planned retirement, only to be torn apart when the heist goes awry as the result of a double-cross from their criminal mentor. Once reunited, the team resolves to get revenge. ONCE A THIEF showcases a more comical side of Woo, who packs his script with screwball double-entendres that translate shakily from Cantonese but retains his facility for deft action photography and his thematic interest in friends trying to remain loyal in a world full of betrayal. Also features Woo's trademark gratuitous tearjerking montages set to sappy Cantopop ballads.