Thief

Director Michael Mann's 1981 feature debut is a cool, gritty crime flick starring James Caan as an ex-con—known simply as Frank—who is the head of a high-end crew of professional safecrackers in Los Angeles. Caan plays the role with a guarded, wary professionalism, but behind the armor is a romantic yearning for home and family, and he woos wounded beauty Jessie (Tuesday Weld) to be his partner in his dream life. Mann builds this simple story of an independent pro who reluctantly signs up with a crime syndicate, presenting meticulously directed heist scenes, paying fastidious attention to their trade, and employing a vivid, evocative style—with pools of hard white light and shades of neon blue cutting through the darkness of city streets and rain-slicked alleys, shadowy bars, and shrouded industrial spaces. Frank's world is a domain of terse professionals whose actions speak for themselves and whose code of respect and responsibility stands out in a corrupt world. An accomplished piece of storytelling and a forerunner of the modern American crime thriller, Thief directly anticipates Mann's own Manhunter and Heat (among others), and its reputation has only grown since its initial release. Presented in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo edition featuring a digital restoration from a new 4K film transfer, extras include audio commentary by Mann and Caan, and video interviews with Mann, Caan, and Johannes Schmoelling of the band Tangerine Dream (which composed and performed the soundtrack). Recommended. (S. Axmaker)