10 Gripping Neo-Noirs You Must See Before You Die

The directorial debut of Michael Mann, pioneering director of crime works such as Heat and Collateral, Thief is the classic tale of the master criminal trying to go straight executed with exemplary aplomb. Mann's gritty, slick style is on full display even this early on in his filmography, as Tangerine Dream's hypnotic soundtrack underpins jewel thief Frank's attempts to finally escape his life of crime.

Played with characteristic swagger by James Caan, Frank has been hard at work setting up two businesses as fronts for his criminal enterprise. In order to achieve his dream to live out his life in peace, he agrees to run a large-scale heist for mob boss Leo - something which will yield the kind of money he needs to hang up his bolt cutters and thermal lance for good. Of course, Leo isn't true to his word and undercuts Frank, attempting to keep him in his employ. Unwilling to back down, Frank cuts his ties and demands his pay, resulting in an escalation of violence between he and the mob.

The combination of Mann's bombastic direction and Caan's charisma makes for a tense and engaging thriller with a feeling of true authenticity and a sense of palpable, constant danger.