Thief [DVD]

James Caan is such a great film actor that he carries this rather slick, clinical-looking film on his own.Michael Mann’s early movie about a loner thief, his girlfriend {wonderful Tuesday Weld wasted in an underwritten role} an oily crime boss {Robert Prosky in a rich performance} and Willie Nelson {surprisingly effective in another sadly underwritten role} is confidently directed, well acted, but ultimately disappointing, with far too much time given to unexciting, dimly lit heist scenes, and a dreadful, overpowering soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, which is so irritating I nearly stopped watching.But Caan is terrific in one of the best parts he ever had, proving again what an underrated actor he’s always been. See it for his flawless and sometimes moving performance. His scene with Tuesday Weld in the diner shows them both at their best.Frustratingly, almost a very good film.

Brilliantly directed by Michael Mann, Thief features one of James Caan's finest performances as the titular protagonist who plies his trade in Chicago. After his fence is killed and the Mafia begin to breathe down his neck he realises he must use all his skill and wits to survive if he is to outwit them. Robert Prosky plays the menacing Mafia patriarch who forces Cann to work for him. Tuesday Weld, as his girl, captivates with a sincere, understated performance. The scene in the diner where he woos Weld has become a classic. The movie pulsates with a raw intensity and an air of menace hangs over it all like a pall. Mann was meticulous during his research for the film and talked to actual thieves to get the feel of authenticity during the heist scenes. The film is also remembered for the magnificent score by Tangerine Dream. The music was an intrinsic part of the film's success. Thief foreshadowed the urban thrillers of later years such as Collateral and Nicholas Winding Refn's Drive. See it!

I bought the Tangerine Dream soundtrack back in 1981. Forty years later, I got to watch the film. Gripped me from start to finish! Lived the night scenes, the music. James Caan portrays Frank not as an antihero, but as a straight criminal, which adds to the realism. Directed by Michael Mann, also known for the Keep, and the original Miami Vice series.My only criticism is that some of the dialog is a bit hard to pick out, even with a HQ blu ray player. Very mumblecore at times.That said, excellent movie. Well worth the 40 year wait!

What a combination. James Caan one of the greatest tough guys actors of the 70's "badabing and you blow his brains all over your nice Ivy League suit" (great advice Sonny). And Michael Mann, a director equally comfortable with method actors and full thorttle action. If you like heist movies, this is a great example. A 1980's version of noir/hard boiled - LA Confidential with a Tangerine Dream soundtrack! The perfect antidote if you feel the need to break out of the corporate PC world, feet up, pop corn and watch the expletives, fists and bullets fly. Marvellous BTG

Thief is written and directed by Michael Mann, who adapts the screenplay form the novel "The Home Invaders" written by Frank Hohimer. It stars James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, James Belushi and Willie Nelson. Music is by Tangerine Dream and cinematography by Donald Thorin.Frank (Caan) is a tough ex-con and expert jewel thief. He's working his way out to a normal life, but after being lured to a big job for the mob, he finds plans on both sides severely altered.For his first full length theatrical feature, Michael Mann announced himself to the film world with some distinction, and in the process showed everyone what style of film making makes him tick. Thief is a film of stylised grit, visually, thematically and narratively. Set and filmed in Chicago, Mann, aided by Thorin, shoots the story through pure neo-noir filters.At nighttime it is all a beautifully neon drenched haze, where the streets shimmer with dampness, a dampness brought about by the rain and god knows what else! By day there's a sweaty hue, a feeling that the heat is well and truly on, that even in daylight Frank isn't safe, his dreams may be a touch too far to reach. And no matter what the scene or scenario, Tangerine Dream are laying over the top a throbbing pulse beat, it's like The Warriors trying to get back to Coney Island, the music has a sense of dread about it, that danger is at every corner.This part of Chicago stinks, it's a vile and corrupt place. Dirty cops everywhere, underworld criminals ruling the roost - Hell! You can even buy a baby if you want one. Is it any wonder that Frank just wants to settle down with a wife and child, to walk barefooted in the sea, to have domesticity? But Frank, as smart, tough and savvy as he is, seems to thrive on the edge of things, with Mann giving him earthy and honest dialogue to engage us with, marking him out as an identifiable everyman protagonist who just happens to be an exceptional thief.Mann's attention to detail is on show straight away, none more so than with the two key safe cracking jobs that are undertaken. Using genuine jewel thieves as technical advisers on the film, these sequences ooze realism, from the tools used, the pre-planning and the execution of the takes, it smacks of reality and does justice to the genuine feel of the characterisations brought alive by the superb cast. And finally Mann delivers a finale of ambiguity, a noir shaded piece of abruptness, an ending that perfectly fits the whole production. 9/10

First or second film by Michael Mann, it includes all his best qualities, although I don't think it's his best one: a great use of sound (not just music) and silence, almost unreal mis-en-scene of the environment, and still being realistic, and great direction of actors (James Caan gives one of his best performance ever). It's bitter, dry, abstract sometimes. I don't like his use of music that much (maybe Manhunter, INsider and Heat were the only one where music was not cheap or overwhelming, during a scene). Blu ray transfer is quite impressing and you forgive some scenes were they obviously could not correct some grainy dark shots.