Thief

This movie is so 80s!  Just look at that poster.  It's like a Max Headroom silhouette. 

 

"Thief" is the second film from director Michael Mann (his first movie was made for TV so if you call this his first, I won't fault you).  Already, Mann is showing his love of criminals and hyper-masculinity. 

 

James Caan plays a thief who gets caught up working for a big time criminal.  He takes "one last job" and everything goes well except that he does not receive his money.  Much blood is spilt.

 

"Thief" is based on a novel written by an honest-to-goodness jewel thief.  As much as the other stylistic elements of Michael Mann, his obsessive eye for detail begins to show.  I get the feeling that Mann learned everything there is to know about heists and their execution.  "Thief" feels practically educational at times.

 

It's not a particularly deep film but it is exceptionally entertaining.  This is one of those "guy movies."  Most wives and girlfriends won't share an appreciation of it.  This is a movie about men who are more badass than most other men fantasize of being. 

 

The score by Tangerine Dream is incredible (but they always are).  It just drives home how supremely 80s this movie is.  It's dated in the best possible way.  So if you're a guy (or super cool lady) who's in the mood to watch badass men steal shit to the sounds of intense synthesizer music, then "Thief" is completely for you.  You'll be a cooler person after you watch it.

 

8 out of 10