Michael Mann injects style and substance into a familiar story in this bleak but cathartic crime thriller. Brooding performances and detailed, procedural heist sequences create an intriguing foundation for the story's social themes as James Caan's working class thief fights for independence from forces that seem intent on owning not only his labor, but his body and soul.

A near-thunderous theatrical debut, Thief shows Michael Mann to be a film craftsman of the highest order, as if born to direct. Painting Chicago as a city of dreamy steely blues, sparkling orange, gleaming fluorescence and stately neon-drenched haze, where the streets shimmer with dampness. Loaded with striking night shots of back alleys and glittering skyscrapers, the film has an all-pervading atmosphere of gloom and never-ending tension. The lights of late, lamented twenty-four-hour delis always artfully doubled across the blackest pavement, all accompanied by the lush electronic soundscape of Tangerine Dream. James Caan's tough-cocky-chilling performance makes the dark world of professional crime so appealing one can hardly resist its dangers, easily a career best and one that turns the film into a disturbingly gripping character study just as much as a gripping thriller. There's a kind of inaudible beat to the film. It's as if it has its own heart, one that throbs insistently whenever the pace, pulse or intensity quickens, a side effect of Mann's confidently assured direction. Mann pounds his film into you in a combination of gorgeous images, taut performances and a score which intertwines both sound and music. There is no respite from Thief; it is bravura filmmaking at its most potent. A subculture of its own.

All Time Classic. The fact this is Michael Mann's Debut is just mindblowing. This is something you expect from a seasoned director hitting their peak. This is something I'd expect from De Palma. The music...man it's the best thing. It freakin rules and is so memorable. The acting is really good overall but this film belongs to James Caan. He is so good in this and commands every scene he is in. One of his best performances I have ever seen from him. Great villian too. This is basically a Heist Movie and a Crime Drama mixed together and man does it work really well. It rarely ever feels like there seperate affairs and one ties into the other extremely well. The ending is really cool too and badass. Exceelent pacing too. The drama I would say is a bit more interesting oddly enough as cool and slick as the Heist scenes are. It's a real testament to Caan's acting and the direction. Everyone should give this a try once.

I recalled thinking on first viewing that it was a cleverly plotted, atmospheric neo-noire, when neo-noire was barely a thing. That was in 1981. It holds up as influential and as a template of Michael Mann's next decade of work. But having just watched it again, 45 years later, it was a bit of a slog. Long establishing shots with breathy synths to create mood, when concise dialogue economical camera work could have built scenes with more impact. The characters are sketched out in their first scenes, but never really filled out as the story proceeds. It all looked cool in the day, but it presents its era as much as it shows its age.

Compelling tale of a safecracker, Wanting to go legit after one more big job, but mafia won't let him, Top notch stylized thriller from Michael Mann, Understated performance by James Caan, Memorable electronic score by Tangerine Dream, And William Petersen, Dennis Farina have small roles,

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.

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.

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.

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."

my favorite michael mann film james caan is great in this

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.

What a bad a**! Man stood on principle. Great watch, even in 2024.

A great action movie, but mainly a great character. Deep and well-rounded story. Also a beautiful mature love story. There are technical details for an expert eye and great dialogues for the literated.

I saw this one probably 30+ years ago and decided to watch it again as all I could remember was I liked it. Well sure, it's a little dated but is definitely worth the watch. 4.5 stars

Being a fellow Bronx native like James Caan, I may be biased, but I've admired him for ages. Despite my partiality, I must say this film was fantastic. James Caan portrayed the role with just the right blend of aggression and intelligence, making his character truly enjoyable. The storyline flowed seamlessly, and I applaud the director. Highly recommended!

A highly skilled jewel thief, Frank longs to leave his dangerous trade and settle down with his girlfriend, Jessie. Eager to make one last big score in order to begin living a legitimate life, Frank reluctantly associates with Leo, a powerful gangster. If a Michael Mann movie doesn't get you on the edge of your seat, then I don't know what will. Thief feels, like Heat, ultra realistic, I feel like I am a part of the gangster world, and everything that happens, feels so realistic, from the conversations and life style, to the shooting and the cracking of the vaults. James Caan is fantastic in this role, he really elevated the movie to a whole other level. The rest of the cast gave fun side performances as well, and I thought that Tuesday Weld gave another highlight performance. The only thing that I tend to lack, when I am watching a Michael Mann movie, is the emotional connection with the characters, they are almost to stone cold for me, but that makes a Michael Mann movie, a Michael Mann movie. The editing is perfect, the score is elevating and the screenplay feels iconic, add to that a tense finale, and you have a great watch!

A mediocre production with a thin plot.

I don't why people love Mann and compare him to Lynch. The movie is slow and boring.

James Caan in his most bad-ass role since Sonny Corleone, and the unmistakable vibe of "Miami Vice" courtesy of Michael Mann. Dennis Farina in a supporting role with a 70's hairstyle, maybe with a bit of Grecian Formula added in, before he starred in Crime Story. Not everything is plausible and the time line is a bit disjointed. Motivations and actions left unexplained at times, such as why Frank torches his own car lot, but overall a gorgeously shot action film. Caan's Frank character has a momentary lapse of attention in the final duel with one of Leo's bodyguards [Farina] that gets him plugged, but he finishes off the bad guys and to the audience's relief gets up scarcely any worse for wear. We're left wondering if he'll reunite with Tuesday and the kid at the end.

The greatest Michael Mann Film you will ever see, an instant classic.