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Thief (film)
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Thief is a 1981 noir crime drama written and directed by Michael Mann, based on the novel The Home Invaders by "Frank Hohimer" (the pen name of real-life jewel thief John Seybold). The film's cast includes James Caan, Tuesday Weld, James Belushi, Robert Prosky and Willie Nelson.
Synopsis
James Caan plays Frank, an expert jewel thief with a set structure to his life. With a pair of successful Chicago businesses (a bar and a car dealership) as fronts for his very lucrative criminal enterprise, Frank sets out to fulfill the missing part of his dream: a family to go along with his loving wife, Jessie (Weld).
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Encyclopedia
Thief is a 1981 noir crime drama written and directed by Michael Mann, based on the novel The Home Invaders by "Frank Hohimer" (the pen name of real-life jewel thief John Seybold). The film's cast includes James Caan, Tuesday Weld, James Belushi, Robert Prosky and Willie Nelson.
Synopsis
James Caan plays Frank, an expert jewel thief with a set structure to his life. With a pair of successful Chicago businesses (a bar and a car dealership) as fronts for his very lucrative criminal enterprise, Frank sets out to fulfill the missing part of his dream: a family to go along with his loving wife, Jessie (Weld). After taking down a major score, Frank's fence is murdered, and he finds out that the killer is a Mr. Attaglia, a shady plating company executive for whom the fence was working, and who subsequently is in possession of money that belongs to Frank. Frank aggressively informs Attaglia that he wants his money back, and later comes to be acquainted with Attaglia's employer, Leo (Robert Prosky), a high-level fence and Mafia boss, who wishes to strike a deal with Frank, offering him 'boxcar' profits in exchange for Frank's work.
Frank is reluctant at first, but wanting to make his dream come to fruition faster, he accepts. Soon Frank is taking part in a large-scale West Coast diamond heist, and, with a little help from the paternal Leo, is even able to purchase a baby on the black market. It all seems to be too good to be true. Frank's big payday finally comes, only for Leo to renege on the agreement. An irate Frank tells Leo he wants his money in 24 hours, or there will be consequences. Frank drives to his car lot to meet with his friend and associate Barry (James Belushi), unaware that Leo's henchmen are waiting for him, and are roughing up Barry in the process. Frank is knocked unconscious and Barry is shot to death. Frank regains consciousness on the floor of the plating plant, with Leo staring down at him, surrounded by his henchmen. In a now famous speech, Leo informs Frank that he, Jessie, their child, and everything Frank owns are Leo's property. Leo even threatens to prostitute Jessie in order to make Frank continue in his work for him. Back at home, Frank realizes he has no other option but to get Jessie and their child to a safe place, and so he throws Jessie out of the house, and has an associate drive her and the baby somewhere where they cannot be found.
With nothing to lose, Frank blows up the house and then proceeds to drive around doing the same to his business establishments and anything that Leo has ever given him. The climax of the film has Frank silently breaking into Leo's house, beating up one of the henchmen, and shooting Leo to death. As Frank walks outside, he is confronted by more of Leo's men. A gunfight ensues. The final scene is of a wounded Frank walking away into the night.
Production
Caan also served as the film's co-producer. His emotional several-minute monologue with Weld in a coffee shop is often cited as the film's high point, and Caan has long considered the scene his favorite of his career. Being Michael Mann's feature film directorial debut, Thief showcases many of the cinematic techniques that would be his trademarks in the years to come. Chief among these is the cinematography, utilizing light and shadow to give the proceedings, especially those taking place in the darkness of night, a sense of danger. Mann has gained a reputation as a director on the cutting-edge when it comes to the music for his films. Thiefs moody soundscapes were composed and performed by Tangerine Dream, providing the first of many notable film compositions they had in the 1980s. The film also earns plaudits for its meticulous attention to detail: the tools and techniques of the trade, right down to the oxy lance used to penetrate a safe, are authentic, the result of Mann's decision to hire real-life thieves to serve as technical advisors.
Thief marks the first appearance of veteran actors Dennis Farina, William Petersen, James Belushi and Robert Prosky. At the time a Chicago police officer, Farina appears as a henchman. Ironically, John Santucci, who plays the role of corrupt cop Urizzi, was a recently-paroled thief. In 1986, Farina and Santucci were both cast in Michael Mann's TV series Crime Story, in their respective roles: Farina as a Chicago police officer, and Santucci as a jewel thief. Petersen, who would later star in the Michael Mann film Manhunter, appears in a brief early role as a bartender.
Originally entitled, Violent Streets, the film debuted at the 34th Cannes Film Festival. It went on to open in theaters in the United States on March 27, 1981 only earning a modest $4.3 million. While not a financial success in its initial release, the film has become a reference point in Mann's career, especially with the release of his crime epic, Heat, with which this movie has many similarities.
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