Title: Thief
Release Date: 1981-03-27
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
High essence:
"Thief aims to make its surly but appealing ex-con Frank (James Caan) into an existential hero because he lives dangerously on the edge and has learned his no fear criminal way gives him the best chance of surviving to reach his dream of family life in suburbia."Medium essence:
Dennis Schwartz:- Wheeler-dealer Frank has since fallen for the attractive Jessie (Tuesday Weld), a cashier in the diner he frequents, who it turns out had a problematic past that she's running away from--her last boyfriend, now dead, was a big-time drug dealer.
- Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz Writer-directoMichal Mann's (peviously directed the television movie The Jericho Mile) feature directorial debut is a gritty modern film noir that takes place in Chicago.
- Thief aims to make its surly but appealing ex-con Frank (James Caan) into an existential hero because he lives dangerously on the edge and has learned his no fear criminal way gives him the best chance of surviving to reach his dream of family life in suburbia.
Low essence:
Dennis Schwartz:- Wheeler-dealer Frank has since fallen for the attractive Jessie (Tuesday Weld), a cashier in the diner he frequents, who it turns out had a problematic past that she's running away from--her last boyfriend, now dead, was a big-time drug dealer.
- He has always been a loner, but against his better judgment makes a pact with organized crime boss Leo (Robert Prosky) on the promise he can make a big killing.
- In an emotional scene Frank visits in prison his mentor Okla (Willie Nelson), a master thief who taught him all he knows, who is to be released in ten months but because of his heart condition the doctors tell him he won't live that long.
- Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz Writer-directoMichal Mann's (peviously directed the television movie The Jericho Mile) feature directorial debut is a gritty modern film noir that takes place in Chicago.
- Caan's not too bright thief characterization, one seeking the conventional life while living out a death wish, was brilliantly realized.
- Thief aims to make its surly but appealing ex-con Frank (James Caan) into an existential hero because he lives dangerously on the edge and has learned his no fear criminal way gives him the best chance of surviving to reach his dream of family life in suburbia.
- The thirtysomething since his release four years ago has been successful as a small-time but highly-skilled professional safecracker and jewel thief, who works with his trusted assistant Barry (Jim Belushi).
Source:
http://www.sover.net/~ozus/thief1981.htm