This is key for many of Mann’s films believability of character. When he lays out his very concrete picture of what he wants out of life-the nice home, a wife, and kids-for Jessie, we believe him. You sense before knowing that Frank spent many years in prison.
#THE THIEF 1981 PROFESSIONAL#
If you look quick, you’ll see another Mann favorite, William Petersen ( C.S.I., Manhunter) in a scene as the Katz & Jammer bartender.Īs the expert professional safecracker specializing in high-profile diamond jobs, James Caan is tough and straightforward, and an example of perfect casting. This was also the film which debuted the talents of both Jim Belushi and Robert Prosky ( The Natural). Also, this was Dennis Farina’s ( Snatch, Get Shorty) film debut he was still a Chicago police detective at the time. The score, by electronica mavens Tangerine Dream, set a standard for film scores to follow, with their sleek, throbbing beats and incessant thematic melodies running just below the surface of each scene. There are a few other firsts tied to this film.
#THE THIEF 1981 FULL#
This was Mann’s first feature film, and it is a dark and gritty contemporary noir, full of the staples of the genre: irrefutable past, untenable situations, irreversible fate. He consulted with many professional thieves and came up with a story that rivals Rififi as a quintessential heist film.
#THE THIEF 1981 FREE#
Pursued by the cops, double-crossed by Leo again, he sends Jessie and their newborn son away and sets out to settle the score and free himself of the mob, not caring if he gets killed in the process.įor Thief, Michael Mann loosely based his screenplay on the book The Home Invaders by Frank Hohimer. His dreams of the nice home and family and retirement are sadly not to be had. But he’s a square peg shoved into a round hole he doesn’t fit into any society, let alone the mob’s. Frank is afraid he’s getting old and feels too many internal pressures, finally taking Leo’s bait as his only way out. She can’t have kids but they both want them. But then Frank gets serious with the manager of his club, a blonde names Jessie. Frank is a lone wolf, a stand-up guy, who does just fine with his small crew and his untraceable life, thank you very much. Leo has Frank’s money as well as a proposition work for him and everything will be taken care of. Tagging along is the connection’s boss, a mob leader named Leo. Frank has to threaten the connection with a gun, but he agrees to a meeting for another payoff. He visits the only known connection to his client, who suddenly “took a flyer” out a hotel window. Frank has just pulled off another huge score, but was double-crossed in the payoff and now wants his cash. Frank says he will, but his eyes tell the story of heartbreak. He asks his best friend and ersatz son Frank to get him out. Scheduled for release in 10 months, he may not live long enough to taste freedom again. David’s in prison and has just found out he’s got a heart disease. His teacher was one of the best, a man his friends call “Okla,” but whose real name is David.
Frank (James Caan) to one of Leo’s lackeysįrank pulls diamond heists, and he’s good at it. “I am the last guy in the world that you want to f-ck with.” Okla (Willie Nelson) giving advice to Frank And if they’re a stranger, who the f-ck are they you got to lie to them?” If it’s somebody close to you, you’re going to ruin it with a lie.
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