The Sound and the Fury
"Thieves" was directed by André Téchiné in the style of film noir. Its fragmented structure has been compared to a William Faulkner's novel, particularly to "The Sound and the Fury" (1929). The narrative — consisting of a prologue, five sections, and an epilogue — leaps around in time and switches between the viewpoints of Justin, Alex, Marie, and Juliette. "The Sound and the Fury" unfolds over four days, likewise, switching narrative perspectives. Both "The Sound and the Fury" and "Thieves" also have a central female character who is loved obsessively by two of the narrators: Faulkner's novel has Caddie, who is loved by her brothers Benjy and Quentin, and Téchiné's film has Juliette, who is the love interest of both Alex and Marie. The divided time structure emphasize the interlapping relationships between the characters.