City of Thieves

When you hear David Benioff’s screenplay creds, you might immediately assume he’s not worth a damn as a writer. After all, this guy is responsible for the movies Troy and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. That’s not exactly a glowing resume. But it’s likely that Benioff is the victim of bad re-writes, bad acting and bad directing. The man who wrote the emotionally charged, funny and clever novel City of Thieves couldn’t possibly be solely responsible for a pair of atrocious action flicks.

Taking place in Russia during World War II, City of Thieves stars a pair of misfits, Lev and Kolya both spared execution in order to fill a Soviet colonel’s ridiculous charge: find a dozen eggs for his daughter’s wedding cake. With Leningrad under siege, this is no easy task. Food is rationed, most livestock is dead and no one’s seen an egg in months.  But the resourceful duo trek across the winter landscape to fulfill their mission. They have no other choice. Find a dozen eggs or they won’t receive their ration cards back from the Colonel.

Benioff creates a city full of interesting and often desperate characters, but none more compelling than Kolya. He’s got a big mouth and he knows how to use it. Fearless, he rushes headlong into every situation, dragging poor, reluctant Lev behind him. Though we see the story through Lev’s eyes, it’s Koyla who helps color the world.

City of Thieves is sweet and charming, but equally cruel. Though there’s a certain whimsy to the story, it’s ultimately a harsh tale set in a very real and believable Leningrad during the Nazi bombings. If you’re looking for a good read, look no further. Though, maybe Benioff should send you a free copy to make up for the Wolverine movie.