The Thief 1997 In 1946, a soldier fathers a child then dies before its birth Jump to 1952 on a train, the child and his mother meet a handsome soldier who makes a play for her She accepts Posing as a married family, the soldier finds them a rooming house where he becomes everyones favorite through his good looks and generosity Meanwhile he gives the boy, Sanya, lessons in life to fight back, to win at all costs The childs mother, Katya, is head over heels in love with Tolyan, the soldier, but the relationship becomes rocky when Tolyans true plans for the rooming house become clear It starts them on a treadmill of flight that risks Katyas life, Tolyans liberty, and Sanyas trust