Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Thief

Thief is a classic 1981 noir crime film written and directed by Michael Mann. James Caan plays Frank, an expert jewel thief who runs into some problems after taking down a major score. In an effort to recover money from his murdered fence, Frank is lured into working with Leo, a mobster, on a very large diamond heist. The heist is successful, but Frank's mob partners renege on the agreement. Frank angrily informs Leo that he will be paid, or there will be consequences. Leo's henchmen kidnap and eventually murder Frank's partner Barry (played by James Belushi). Frank takes his family to safety and is ultimately able to turn the tables on Leo, murdering him and several of his henchmen.

The movie is based on the true story of burglar John Seybold, who also served as a technical advisor to the film. The plot serves as an interesting counter-point to the work of Donald Westlake in his famous Parker series. Most notably, it would be unthinkable for Parker to work with the mob, and we can see why given the results for Frank in Thief. We can also see why Parker would consider it to be very unwise to have so many ties to the community. Frank is vulnerable because of the businesses that he owns, and also because of his family and home. Parker's burglar ethos requires that he be able to basically disappear on a moment's notice. My guess is that a real burglar would be much more like Parker, and that many liberties have been taken with Seybold's story in order to develop certain themes. By introducing certain elements such as a family and personal ties, Michael Mann explores Frank's desire for self-realization. Frank keeps a collage of pictures which represents his vision of the life that he is driven to have. So there is a definite pathos and tension to the film that would be lacking if it followed Westlake's Parker model. But at the same time, the film probably lacks verisimilitude. I.e., there is no way a real master thief would make the choices that Frank makes.

Also notable is the soundtrack by Tangerine Dream.

The film displays meticulous attention to detail, which is a direct result of Mann's decision to employ Seybold as an advisor. The tools and techniques of the trade are authentic, right down to the oxy lance used to penetrate a safe.

If you watch closely, you will see CSI's William Petersen in a small role as a bartender. Later he will work with Mann in Manhunter, another overlooked classic of the 80's.