Thief

I’m a thief. I’ve been in prison, all right? It’s not often you can say a director’s feature film debut is a masterpiece, but that can certainly be said of Michael Mann's, THIEF. Returning to cinemas 45 years on from its release, THIEF is a philosophical thriller filled with modernist cool, ranking alongside the very best caper flicks. Frank (James Caan), a professional jewel thief who wants to marry Jessie (Tuesday Weld) and settle down into a normal life, aligns himself with crime boss Leo (Robert Prosky) who will help him gain the money he needs to achieve his dream of having a family. Frank plans to retire after the heist, yet he finds himself indebted to Leo and he struggles to break free. Featuring outstanding performances from its lead cast, with Caan delivering a career best performance, THIEF seethes with Mann’s stylish, atmospheric direction, loaded with striking night shots of back alleys and glittering skyscrapers, enveloping you in its tough, doom-laden grip that never let’s go.