From the off in Thief, you know you're in good hands. As usual, Michael Mann makes wonderful use of lighting and locations - in this case, a wet nocturnal Chicago - wait, did I say "as usual"? You're telling me this was Mann's first feature film?! Well, wow, his visual style is already there. From the first couple shots. And though I'm not sure I like the love interest (it's too aggressive and reminded me of Rocky's), it's a pretty great heist story too. James Caan plays a safe cracker who, having been raised by the state and spent his 20s in prison, is impatient to get his life in order and secure what he sees as a kind of freedom, one where he calls the shots and no one else. That leads him to the opportunity to do "one last job" and ally with a top level gangster to make it happen. Along the way, he'll be asked to compromise his vision and thereby lies a tragedy in the making. As much character portrait as crime thriller, Thief is another one of Mann's riveting, glossy experiences.
A gritty, well-framed film with a well-done Tangerine Dream soundtrack. James Caan is riveting as an irascible thief. This film managed to capture the working class ingenuity reminiscent of Becker's Le Trou. I enjoyed the mechanical detail of James Caan cracking safes and so on. Much better than Pierce Brosnan's The Thomas Crown Affair, et al., which really glosses over the hard work of thieving. An excellent film overall.
One of the best badass endings ever in a hollywood movie. The testosterone level is at least comparable to Outlaw Josey Wales. The Tangerine Dream soundtrack fits so perfect that, I instantly had a James Caan upperbody hair after watching his badassesness in the end.
and here I am thinking a comment along the lines of "Drive borrowed a lot from this movie" was gonna be original.
In any case, loved the OST and how blue this and every movie of Mann's is. Mesmerizing.
The movie is really visually pleasing if you are a fan of a certain cinematography and has a really good main character. Some bad dialogue here and there but a classic soundtrack by Tangerine Dreams. Cool.
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Siskoid
From the off in Thief, you know you're in good hands. As usual, Michael Mann makes wonderful use of lighting and locations - in this case, a wet nocturnal Chicago - wait, did I say "as usual"? You're telling me this was Mann's first feature film?! Well, wow, his visual style is already there. From the first couple shots. And though I'm not sure I like the love interest (it's too aggressive and reminded me of Rocky's), it's a pretty great heist story too. James Caan plays a safe cracker who, having been raised by the state and spent his 20s in prison, is impatient to get his life in order and secure what he sees as a kind of freedom, one where he calls the shots and no one else. That leads him to the opportunity to do "one last job" and ally with a top level gangster to make it happen. Along the way, he'll be asked to compromise his vision and thereby lies a tragedy in the making. As much character portrait as crime thriller, Thief is another one of Mann's riveting, glossy experiences.palefire
A gritty, well-framed film with a well-done Tangerine Dream soundtrack. James Caan is riveting as an irascible thief. This film managed to capture the working class ingenuity reminiscent of Becker's Le Trou. I enjoyed the mechanical detail of James Caan cracking safes and so on. Much better than Pierce Brosnan's The Thomas Crown Affair, et al., which really glosses over the hard work of thieving. An excellent film overall.mcbaniel
The current movie DRIVE really reminded me of this movie.Monteyn
One of the best badass endings ever in a hollywood movie. The testosterone level is at least comparable to Outlaw Josey Wales. The Tangerine Dream soundtrack fits so perfect that, I instantly had a James Caan upperbody hair after watching his badassesness in the end.fungus
This one should definitely be on a list.nick-samuel
Drive definitely has that Mannsian neo-noir feel to itForzelius
and here I am thinking a comment along the lines of "Drive borrowed a lot from this movie" was gonna be original.In any case, loved the OST and how blue this and every movie of Mann's is. Mesmerizing.
TomServo
If anybody needs proof that action movies can be art, look no further.stexdo
The movie is really visually pleasing if you are a fan of a certain cinematography and has a really good main character. Some bad dialogue here and there but a classic soundtrack by Tangerine Dreams. Cool.dm7
superb soundtrackClassicLady
It was a slow moving but good movie right up until the last few minutes. I really dislike movies where