James Caan gives a powerful performance in this, Michael Mann's supremely underrated 1981 neo-noir. Thief is based on the 1975 novel The Home Invaders: Confessions Of A Cat Burglar by real-life jewel thief John Seybold. The film tells the story of an ex-convict trying to go straight but being roped back into one final job for the Mafia. This is the debut feature of Michael Mann, who would go on to direct Heat, Manhunter, The Insider and Collateral, and what an impressive debut it is. Although the film is full of lush visuals and boasts a wonderful score from Tangerine Dream (curiously nominated for a Razzie Award at the time) the highlight is a scene between Caan and love interest Tuesday Weld. Sitting together in a coffee shop, Caan's character opens up to Weld in a several-minutes long monologue that gives the film hitherto seen emotional depth and weight. Caan considers it the best performance of his career, impressive when you look at his résumé. Mann hired real-life safe crackers and thiefs as consultants in order to properly demonstrate the legitimate way to do it to the actors and add to the sense of realism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHgAEcVzh1o
