Thief

Great thriller from Michael Mann with a James Caan masterclass performance. One of the best written anti-heroes I've seen

5/10

Potentially Mann’s most stylised film. It’s an unbelievable debut; even here in his first feature, his artistic quirks and visual language are on full display.

Michael Mann clearly has an obsession with the criminal underworld and the people within it, finding the humanity in their ambitions. Frank is such a well-written character - he isn’t necessarily redeemable or even a "nice guy," he's a crook through and through. Yet, it’s his honesty and his hope for a "normal life" that makes you back him through all his actions.

Tangerine Dream’s score is the nuts. The vibes are just insane; to me, it’s the quintessential heist score of all time. It’s no wonder Rockstar Games tapped them for the GTA V soundtrack, given the clear inspiration they took from this movie. The stylised neon lighting against those contrasty, deep blacks makes the framing feel immaculate and oozes the noir vibe. I’m also a sucker for a well-executed split diopter shot, so that one in the phone booth had me giggling.

James Caan is just that guy. He oozes charisma and the "don’t fuck with me" energy required for a role like this. It’s easily one of my favorite performances of his. I do wish Tuesday Weld had more to do, though. She was fantastic in that early diner scene, and I would've loved to see more of that home life - the very thing Frank is fighting for.

Despite the clear budget constraints, Thief is an incredible piece of filmmaking. It feels like a benchmark and a staple of the genre. It’s never loud or bombastic with the action; instead, it’s a personal quest to get what you want out of life. A really special movie.

5/10

Potentially Mann’s most stylised film. It’s an unbelievable debut; even here in his first feature, his artistic quirks and visual language are on full display.

Michael Mann clearly has an obsession with the criminal underworld and the people within it, finding the humanity in their ambitions. Frank is such a well-written character - he isn’t necessarily redeemable or even a "nice guy," he's a crook through and through. Yet, it’s his honesty and his hope for a "normal life" that makes you back him through all his actions.

Tangerine Dream’s score is the nuts. The vibes are just insane; to me, it’s the quintessential heist score of all time. It’s no wonder Rockstar Games tapped them for the GTA V soundtrack, given the clear inspiration they took from this movie. The stylised neon lighting against those contrasty, deep blacks makes the framing feel immaculate and oozes the noir vibe. I’m also a sucker for a well-executed split diopter shot, so that one in the phone booth had me giggling.

James Caan is just that guy. He oozes charisma and the "don’t fuck with me" energy required for a role like this. It’s easily one of my favorite performances of his. I do wish Tuesday Weld had more to do, though. She was fantastic in that early diner scene, and I would've loved to see more of that home life - the very thing Frank is fighting for.

Despite the clear budget constraints, Thief is an incredible piece of filmmaking. It feels like a benchmark and a staple of the genre. It’s never loud or bombastic with the action; instead, it’s a personal quest to get what you want out of life. A really special movie.

mesmerizing