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Thief

R Released Apr 27, 1981 2h 2m Crime Drama Action List
80% Tomatometer 85 Reviews 81% Audience Score 5,000+ Ratings
A highly skilled jewel thief, Frank (James Caan) longs to leave his dangerous trade and settle down with his girlfriend, Jessie (Tuesday Weld). Eager to make one last big score in order to begin living a legitimate life, Frank reluctantly associates with Leo (Robert Prosky), a powerful gangster. Unfortunately for Frank, Leo wants to keep him in his employ, resulting in a tense showdown when he finally tries to give up his criminal activities once and for all. Read More Read Less
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Thief

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Critics Consensus

Thief's enigmatic conclusion will rob some audiences of satisfaction, but it's an authentic and sleekly rendered neo-noir, powered by a swaggering James Caan at the peak of his charisma.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Maza Arizona Republic Their courting scenes are masterpieces of flat-out negotiation, harshly lit, and yet somehow Caan and Ms. Weld touch their mutual attraction with an aura of romance. Jul 7, 2022 Full Review Michael Blowen Boston Globe Thief looks like a good movie... But, in spite of director Michael Mann's authentic sets and a workmanlike performance by Caan, the film never crackles. It merely ambles across the screen with no particular place to go. Jul 7, 2022 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune The film's big acting surprise is the performance by Robert Prosky as Leo. In addition to the film's nighttime photography, it is the character of Leo who gives Thief much of its power and realism. Rated: 3/4 Jul 7, 2022 Full Review Ray Pride Newcity Chicago as a city of dreamy steely blues and sparkling orange and gleaming fluorescence and stately neon. The lights of late, lamented twenty-four-hour delis... always artfully doubled across blackest pavement. Rated: 10/10 Jul 2, 2024 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Michael Mann brought a new sensibility to the American crime movie with his feature debut ... Sep 22, 2023 Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson That coffee shop/diner scene in the first hour is a clinic, not just for James Caan's performance, but for how Mann views the scene as it progresses. Rated: 3/5 Sep 4, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Thomas P The lights, music, the cars at night, James Caan...Everything looks really cool but I feel like It takes a bit too long For things to get interesting. The order of events feel kind of predicable but the ending makes It worth It, For sure. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/27/24 Full Review Sal D I agree with Lee C about fast forwarding through the Tuesday Weld and Willie Nelson sections, but the rest of the film is so powerfully realistic, so gorgeously photographed, so well-played by Caan and so mesmerizingly underscored by the Tangerine Dream soundtrack that it deserves 4.5 stars. Love those rain-soaked opening credits. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/28/24 Full Review Michael V Tonight, his take home pay is $410,000... tax free. Thief is a 1981 American neo-noir heist action thriller film directed and written by Michael Mann in his feature film debut 💰 Can’t recommend it. Meh, it passed the time. Sort of. 😕 Frank is an expert professional safecracker, specialized in high-profile diamond heists. He plans to use his ill-gotten income to retire from crime and build a nice life for himself complete with a home, wife and kids. To accelerate the process, he signs on with a top gangster for a big score. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/17/24 Full Review Lee C A good heist movie. However, if it were to be made today, it would be twenty to thirty minutes shorter and more tightly edited overall. To achieve a similar effect on your own, I recommend fast-forwarding whenever you see Tuesday Weld ("Jessie") or Willie Nelson ("Okla") on the screen. Those scenes flesh out James Caan's character somewhat, but they just slow down the heist story, which is really the only reason to watch this movie. Finally, if you are a fan of heist movies, try "Rififi" and "Inside Man." Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/21/24 Full Review James B my favorite michael mann film james caan is great in this Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/11/24 Full Review Audience Member Executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Director Michael Mann adapt the book The Home Invaders. James Caan, Willie Nelson, and Robert Prosky. The life of a thief is not easy, it's even harder to get out for good. That's the case for Frank, a professional jewel thief that wants to abandon his criminal ways. But if he can score one last job he'll be able to set himself for life. However when he associates himself with gangster Leo he may be in too deep. Leo isn't willing to let Frank go that easily. Since this is also the mob almost everyone involved including cops and a judge want a piece of the cut. Trouble is that Frank abandons his independence all involved want him to stay in the game. Time loses its meaning, the serenity comes with not caring anymore, As much as Frank wants to move forward maybe the sad truth is this is the only thing he knows how to do. Prison changed his view and mentality of things. Caan dominates the movie. Yet a lot of the thrills don't start until the very end. Shows how far a thief who doesn't want the lifestyle can be pushed. Overall I thought this was average. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/28/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis A highly skilled jewel thief, Frank (James Caan) longs to leave his dangerous trade and settle down with his girlfriend, Jessie (Tuesday Weld). Eager to make one last big score in order to begin living a legitimate life, Frank reluctantly associates with Leo (Robert Prosky), a powerful gangster. Unfortunately for Frank, Leo wants to keep him in his employ, resulting in a tense showdown when he finally tries to give up his criminal activities once and for all.
Director
Michael Mann
Producer
Jerry Bruckheimer, Ronnie Caan
Screenwriter
Michael Mann
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
United Artists
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama, Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 27, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Surround
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