Thief (1981)
Through the opening credits sequence it quickly becomes clear that Frank (James Caan) is the safecracking thief in question, and no doubt a professional with a taste for diamonds. Frank has been a thief all his life, spent over ten years in prison and is ready to pack it all ... Read review
James Caan is at his very best as a tough, wisecracking professional thief trapped between ... more
Chicago organised crime families and corrupt police in this gripping tale. Michael Mann, who directed Heat, Last of the Mohicans and Manhunter and produced The I...
As an executive producer Michael Mann brought the seminal Miami Vice to our screens and ... more
revolutionised TV cop shows forever. As an uncompromising director he has created some of the most intense and unforgettable modern thrillers including Man Hunter Heat The Insider and Collateral. Thief was his incredibly stylish cutting edge breakthrough and one of the most authentic crime films of the eighties. Based upon the memoirs of real life jewel thief Frank Hohimer (who also served as a technical advisor during filming) it stars James Caan (The Godfather Rollerball) in what he still maintains is his best career defining role. It also features fantastic performances from country legend Willie Nelson Tuesday Weld and James Belushi. Frank is a professional safe cracker the best in Chicago. But Frank has started to yearn for the quiet life and is looking for a way out. In an act of desperation he takes on a tempting offer from the local mafia an offer he may not live to regret as fate pulls him towards an explosive conclusion.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Shelagh Fraser, Barbara Flynn, Keith Drinkel, Felicity Kendal, Pam Ferris, Colin Douglas
Advantages: Good direction – enjoyable to watch Disadvantages: Very basic and linear story
Thief (1981)
Through the opening credits sequence it quickly becomes clear that Frank (James Caan) is the safecracking thief in question, and no doubt a professional with a taste for diamonds. Frank has been a thief all his life, spent over ten years in prison and is ready to pack it all in once he makes enough money to retire with a wife and kids. After a snag in his most recent job he attracts the attention of the local mob’s godfather, ... ...this point.
Thief tries to examine the aspirations of the criminal mind. Posing the question, ‘Is what they want out of life any different from anyone else?’. The high crime lifestyle is far from glorified and I did care for Caan’s character to some degree. However, it did feel overlong for the rather simple material and Mann (and others) have made better films on similar themes since. Overall it makes entertaining but slightly disappointing ... more
Thief (1981)
Through the opening credits sequence it quickly becomes clear that Frank (James Caan) is the safecracking thief in question, and no doubt a professional with a taste for diamonds. Frank has been a thief all his life, spent over ten years in prison and is ready to pack it all in once he makes enough money to retire with a wife and kids. After a snag in his most recent job he attracts the attention of the local mob’s godfather, who would like to put Frank on his books. Can Frank tame his independent streak long enough to work with them on what would be his largest and last diamond job? And will the corrupt cops get off his back long enough to do it?
This is one of Michael Mann’s (Heat, Collateral) earliest features as director, and is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Mann wrote the script himself, basing it on Frank Hohimer’s novel ‘The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar’, but with a few of the facts twisted round to suit. Hohimer was serving time when the film was made. Mann blends together the world of crime with drama and very good attention to detail, using real ex-thieves as consultants. One of which is ironically cast as a police officer. Humourously Mann also casts Dennis Farina, a former policeman, in the role of a mob henchman. The opening scene of Caan breaking into a vault is real. The safe and tools were all genuine and Caan trained to do it, as is true of the other heist scenes. The only down side to the these scenes is that being 1981 security is far less than we’d expect today and so it seems a little easy at times.
Caan gives a very convincing performance as Frank, a self-confident and violent man younger in his mind than in his years. His only failing is that he makes it a little too hard to sympathise with Frank’s dream of leaving the business when he is still such a brash and selfish person. One of his best scenes is when he talks about his time in prison and ‘career’ choice with the woman he wants to settle down with, Jessie - played by Tuesday Weld, in a good supporting role. Here we see an emotional and whimsical side to criminals that is often overlooked. Unfortunately in other scenes I wished he would just shut up and have a little dignity, rather than stick a gun in everybody’s face. Robert Prosky (Gremlins 2) also plays his godfather role very well, even if it is a bit of a one-dimensional character. Willie Nelson (best known for his music) makes a shamefully underused appearance as Frank’s friend and mentor dying whilst still in prison. I felt a lot more could have been made of side of his life. James Belushi reminds us that he didn’t always need a dog to make a decent movie, as Frank’s partner. Other good support comes from the very violent and corrupt police officers, providing a couple of tense and funny moments.
The original music comes from the band Tangerine Dream. Not everyone’s first choice at a party but here they provide a very atmospheric and surprisingly fitting soundtrack of electronic beats and synthesized hums. At times the music almost takes centre stage but Mann weaves it together nicely.
Whilst the composite parts are all good it is unfortunate that Caan is unable to carry the whole film, which the very linear and straightforward script requires of him. Caan is very much the central focus leaving other characters under developed. If he were a little more charismatic or forgivable it would have made for a better film. The camerawork is fluid and pleasing to the eye throughout, unlike the ghastly beige suits and floral shirts of the time (there’s no understanding trends in fashion). Mann does everything to keep your interest to the end, but doesn’t quite have the emotional punch of his later films to back it up. The climax is crammed into the last twenty minutes or so, and while being one of the best parts of the film with a surprising turn of events, it highlighted how little had really occurred up to this point.
Thief tries to examine the aspirations of the criminal mind. Posing the question, ‘Is what they want out of life any different from anyone else?’. The high crime lifestyle is far from glorified and I did care for Caan’s character to some degree. However, it did feel overlong for the rather simple material and Mann (and others) have made better films on similar themes since. Overall it makes entertaining but slightly disappointing viewing. Definitely worth watching if you’re a fan of the genre, Mann or Caan, but don’t expect too much.
Advantages: Delectable story, delightful screenplay Disadvantages: They don't make films like this anymore
' for Murder (1951), Rear Window (1953) and To Catch a Thief (1955). Hitchcock's work intrigued and engaged me, and I am now in the process of completing my Hitchcock DVD collection. And so being instantly smitten with Grace back on a rainy Tuesday afternoon in 1995 led me to gain a passionate interest in films and film making.
To Catch a Thief is typical Hitchcock. It combines many, if not all, of his trademark features. It has the iconic ice queen blonde, Frances (Francie) Stevens (Kelly), the charming bad boy made good slightly down on his luck hero, John Robie (Cary Grant), combined with an interwoven, layered plot, a sophisiticated and charming screenplay and a slightly comedic twist at the end. Not to mention the brief cameo that is the trade mark of the Hitchcock film. The film is a gorgeous masterpiece of comedy, suspense, sexual ...
Advantages: great story, acting and directing Disadvantages: none really
is a thief. Somehow they make love during the fireworks display. Jesse stubs a cigarette in an expensive plate of eggs. Robie meets another woman, Danielle Foussard(Brigette Auber) who is falsely accused of the crime.
But eventually Robie caputures the real jewel thief and is free of the crime and gets the girl. It seems To Catch A Thief is a very appealing film to watch over and over again. The Riveria location photography is magnificent shot on film.
The film seems to be one of Hitchcock's finest and somewhat humorous films ever made. This classic film is a far cry from the familiar, horrifying thrillers of Hitchcock. I do recommend watching To Catch A Thief on video or DVD. ...
Advantages: Real characters, perfect pace, coherent soundtrack Disadvantages: Some rather sketchy scenes
Seriously. Screw The Italian Job. Screw The Great Train Robbery. Screw Oceans Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen whatever!
Two things - texture and pace. Neil Jordan's The Good Thief is for me, by far, the best addition to a very weary genre, cliched by the usual immaculately-dressed hoodlums with unbelievably smooth lines and unbelievably advanced gadgets. While every heist movie tries to be cleverer than the previous one, along comes this delightful flick, which plays more on proper characterisation and execution instead of excessively charming characters like the George Clooneys and Brad Pitts of Oceans fame. Here we have amongst others, a down-and-out heroin addict, a Bosnian whore, her jealous small-time gangster lover, her possessive pimp and a sympathetic police officer. No character is the epitome of evil nor the pinnacle of virtue ...
habitualdamnation 13.09.2005 (29.10.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Good Thief (DVD)
When a highly honourable expert thief foolishly agrees to join forces with a Godfather type figure he is caught between reality and his idealism.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
MGM ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS, OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT; ELEVATION SALES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Release date
21/07/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
19834 DVD
Barcode
5050070010275
Music Performer
Tangerine Dream
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Sound
Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 2.0 English
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Professional reviews
Review
"...An impressive debut for Mann's street-corner existentialism..." -- Rating: B (Entertainment Weekly, pp.72-3, 21/06/1996)
"...THIEF remains one of the most accurate movies ever made about career criminals..." (Total Film, p.118, 01/05/2000)
DVD Description
After 11 years in prison, an ageing master safecracker (James Caan) decides to pull one more job before retiring to a quiet, peaceful life. However, the mob finds him much too valuable and refuses to let him retire, keeping him trapped in the life he so desperately wants to leave behind. An introspective look at a man re-evaluating the life he's lived, THIEF is a fascinating, intense film, based on the novel by Frank Hohimer.
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