Thief (film)

Thief is a 1981 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by Michael Mann, in his feature film debut. It stars James Caan, Tuesday Weld, James Belushi, Dennis Farina, and Robert Prosky.

The film follows Frank (Caan), a professional, highly skilled jewel thief in Chicago who is looking to settle down and start a family. Frank operates with a meticulously planned system, using specialized tools and a close-knit crew. After a stint in prison, Frank is determined to live a straight life and achieve the American Dream.

However, his plans are complicated when he takes a lucrative job from a powerful gangster named Leo (Prosky). The job offers Frank the financial security he desires, but it draws him deeper into a dangerous criminal underworld and threatens to destroy everything he has worked for. He also forms a relationship with Jessie (Weld), a woman who shares his desire for a stable life, and their relationship becomes intertwined with Frank's criminal activities.

Thief is notable for its stylish visuals, use of electronic music composed by Tangerine Dream, and its realistic depiction of the world of professional crime. It explores themes of freedom, control, and the difficulty of escaping a life of crime. It is often considered a highly influential crime film and a significant early work in Mann's career, establishing many of the stylistic and thematic elements that would become hallmarks of his later films. The film is also regarded for its accurate portrayal of tools and techniques used by actual professional thieves, due to Mann's extensive research with former criminals.