Another case of unwarranted notoriety given to a sad, immature criminal, bright enough to perhaps have given something back to society if he had taken a different path. But, as far as the "mastermind" aspect is concerned, more is made of his exploits than they deserve and honestly, my wife and I fell asleep halfway through this documentary. The "mastermind" apparently uses the same cell phone for months while the wiretap is activated and he so desperately wants attention that he videos his crimes and rents vehicles under his true name.

When you watch interviews with his biological father, you can see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to delusions of grandeur, LOL. I feel sorriest for his mother.

"The Jewel Thief" is a Hulu original documentary that delves into the life of Gerald Blanchard, a seasoned robber whose criminal escapades spanned several decades. The film's runtime of 100 minutes begins with an extended focus on Blanchard's criminal evolution, painting his rise to infamy in a somewhat innocent and even comedic light. Born in Canada and later relocating to Omaha, Nebraska, Blanchard's criminal journey started with robbing electronic stores as a teenager, despite multiple arrests.

As the documentary progresses, Blanchard's criminal pursuits escalate, with him infiltrating bank construction sites to meticulously plan ATM heists before the banks even open. His audacity knows no bounds, even managing to escape police custody by navigating through air ducts in an interrogation room.

The film's interviews with Blanchard offer a complex portrait of his character. He comes across as entertaining but far from a likable figure. While his upbringing in a single-parent household might suggest a potential link to crime, it's evident that his motivations extended beyond mere poverty. Blanchard, portrayed as somewhat of a "nerd," demonstrated an uncanny talent for robbery.

Blanchard's criminal exploits allowed him to lead a life of luxury, including international travel and high-end theft, all of which he flaunted by sending pictures to the detectives pursuing him. The culmination of his criminal career centers on his audacious theft of the Star Empress Sisi, a diamond and pearl jewel from Vienna's Schonbrun Palace. However, the details surrounding this heist remain shrouded in mystery, as the film hints at a parachuting plan that is later debunked.

The documentary takes a darker turn as it explores Blanchard's downfall. While his crimes initially appeared non-violent and mostly victimless, his overextension, combined with pressure from organized crime figures, led to lapses in judgment. Blanchard, known by over twenty aliases, inadvertently left a trail when he rented a car under his real name, enabling authorities to wiretap his phone and eventually apprehend him.

Director Landon Van Soest employs a mix of humor and suspense to engage viewers in Blanchard's story. However, the film refrains from glorifying its subject, even as Blanchard revels in recounting his escapades while conveniently omitting crucial details. "The Jewel Thief" is a well-crafted crime documentary that portrays its protagonist as cunning but falls short of elevating him to the status of an anti-hero.

In summary, "The Jewel Thief" offers an intriguing exploration of a criminal mastermind, Gerald Blanchard, with an array of ingenious schemes. The film's blend of comedy and suspense keeps the audience engaged, but the lack of glorification and Blanchard's questionable moral character leave it with a score of 6 out of 10.

Gerald Blanchard is a diabolical genius who stole millions from Canadian banks and the police there look like a bunch of Keystone Kops.

The adopted nerd started his criminal career as a teenager and carried a video camera to chronicle his life of crime.

Our neighbors to the north have a laid back criminal justice system, to say the least. Gerald admitted that had he committed the series of thefts in America, he would be serving life in prison.

His adoptive mother is interviewed and she rightly points out that the bankers are much worse than her son. His biological father is not wound too tight, and he believes that his boy is just like his dear old dad. Pop claims to be a martial arts expert and I believe that he may have taken too many blows to the head.

Gerald is interviewed throughout the documentary and although he is quite charming, something seems to be missing from this con man.

I highly recommend The Jewel Thief.