MovieChat Forums > Thief (1981) Discussion > Just watched for the first time

Just watched for the first time

posted 10 years ago by jslavik
6 replies | jump to latest

I'm a huge fan of Michael Mann's work. I count Heat as among my top three films of all time. Somehow, up until now, I'd not seen Thief. I picked up the Criterion bluray a few weeks ago, and let me just say, people aren't exaggerating when they call this film a masterpiece.

Thief has everything that made Heat such a great film, i.e. strong character development, action, realism, atmosphere, and plot. Thief shares a lot in common with the look and feel of the Miami Vice tv show, which Mann would go on to make a few years later.

Highly recommended watch.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (63057267) 9 years ago

Personally, I have always preferred THIEF to HEAT. While HEAT is a fine film, it always felt a bit clunky to me. Vincent's wife/stepdaughter drama was clumsily handled and makes him look like a buffoon (three marriages? You'd think he'd wise up after the first). Also, that final foot chase/duel in the airport is poorly handled. No amount of suspension of disbelief keeps me from noticing that Pacino and De Niro weren't on set together that day (any 2-shot in that scene contains one stand-in).

THIEF, however, doesn't have any problems that I can see. Mann's finest offering, I say.

[–] Michael71 9 years ago

Yeah I've always preferred Thief to Heat as well really, I think Heat is over rated, I always have done.

[–] exaybachay84 8 years ago

Personally, I have always preferred THIEF to HEAT. While HEAT is a fine film, it always felt a bit clunky to me. Vincent's wife/stepdaughter drama was clumsily handled and makes him look like a buffoon (three marriages? You'd think he'd wise up after the first).

While personal preferences are fine, you might have missed the whole point of Hanna being married three times and not "wising up". Vincent, just like McCauley, is someone who inadvertently sacrifices personal life for work. This makes them two sides of one coin - two proffesionals following strict code of rules that are ultimately destructive.

THIEF, however, doesn't have any problems that I can see. Mann's finest offering, I say.

It's "Heat" for me, but "Thief" is pretty close, along with "Manhunter" and "Insider". Mann's such a great film-maker.

Do you have any tobacco?

[–] residentevil6901 9 years ago

I always looked at it like Heat is a sequel to Thief.

[–] samoanjoes (58491) 8 years ago

Sorry, but it's no heat.

[–] DracTarashV2 (4497) 7 years ago

From Mann’s direction to Tangerine Dream’s sublime score, there’s a lot to admire about Thief.

That said, I’ll disagree with the crowd saying that it puts the more popular Heat to shame. Heat is... appropriately-rated. That is a top-tier film that arguably shows Mann at his absolute best. Brilliant in nearly every aspect.