Thief

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Thief

R

1981

2h 2m

Crime

Drama

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A highly skilled jewel thief, Frank (James Caan) longs to leave his dangerous trade and settle down with his girlfriend, Jessie (Tuesday Weld). Eager to make one last big score in order to begin living a legitimate life, Frank reluctantly associates with Leo (Robert Prosky), a powerful gangster. Unfortunately for Frank, Leo wants to keep him in his employ, resulting in a tense showdown when he finally tries to give up his criminal activities once and for all.

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Critics Consensus

Thief's enigmatic conclusion will rob some audiences of satisfaction, but it's an authentic and sleekly rendered neo-noir, powered by a swaggering James Caan at the peak of his charisma.

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Michael Maza

Arizona Republic

07/07/2022

Their courting scenes are masterpieces of flat-out negotiation, harshly lit, and yet somehow Caan and Ms. Weld touch their mutual attraction with an aura of romance.

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Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

07/07/2022

Thief looks like a good movie... But, in spite of director Michael Mann's authentic sets and a workmanlike performance by Caan, the film never crackles. It merely ambles across the screen with no particular place to go.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

07/07/2022

3/4

The film's big acting surprise is the performance by Robert Prosky as Leo. In addition to the film's nighttime photography, it is the character of Leo who gives Thief much of its power and realism.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Sep 3

Like Frank, the character he masterfully plays in Thief, it is impossible to fully like James Caan. But if you look closely, you can see how guys like Tony Soprano wouldn’t exist without Caan’s influence there to pave the way first.

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Ray Pride

Newcity

07/02/2024

10/10

Chicago as a city of dreamy steely blues and sparkling orange and gleaming fluorescence and stately neon. The lights of late, lamented twenty-four-hour delis... always artfully doubled across blackest pavement.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

09/22/2023

Michael Mann brought a new sensibility to the American crime movie with his feature debut ...

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Frans B

@FransB Apr 12

Brilliant. Unbelievable that this film is a trailblazer on so many levels, Mann in directorial debut, various stars, for example Jim Belushi, Dennis Farina, William Petersen, Robert Prosky, John Santucci, Chuck Adamson, etc., also in acting debuts. Tuesday Weld excels in character. A gritty and very intelligently written neo noir crime thriller. Lots of raw emotion, fast paced, action, suspense, drama and intrigue. I agree with Roger Ebert when he says "It’s a thriller with plausible people in it. How rare." Exceptional indeed

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Bilbo B.

@NolanEnthusiast Mar 3

Michael Mann has arguably the top 2 heist movies in the game. Thief is way ahead of its time and it’s hard to believe it released in 1981, but thankfully James Caan was around at the time. He was perfect for this role and really elevates the main character. The camera shots, as well as the dialogue are also phenomenal. Although it does have sort of a predictable ending, it’s still really suspenseful and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

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tucker s

@tucker83014 Jan 5

complete waste of time

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Benjamin H

@RT54005248 Dec 16

Thief is a masterful, suspenseful and nuanced crime thriller and directorial debut for Michael Mann with his distinct neo-noir style and athmosphere. The cinematography is beautiful and the late great James Caan delivers a fantastic performance as safecracker Frank. If i had to nitpick something, it would be that the relationship between Frank and his wife could have been a little better explored, but i still thought it was great and interesting, which is definitely proven in a restaurant scene that was truly engrossing and well-written.

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Harrison B

@emailaddress Dec 15

Really great and you can see the influence on Uncut Gems.

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Vincent S.

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Nov 3

Thief is a modern film noir classic announcing the arrival of one our very best Directors, Michael Mann. James Caan gives, along with The Gambler, my two favorite performances of Caan’s career. Crisp, violent and enthralling.

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Michael Mann

Director

James Caan

Frank

Tuesday Weld

Jessie

Willie Nelson

Okla

Jim Belushi

Barry

Robert Prosky

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Synopsis

A highly skilled jewel thief, Frank (James Caan) longs to leave his dangerous trade and settle down with his girlfriend, Jessie (Tuesday Weld). Eager to make one last big score in order to begin living a legitimate life, Frank reluctantly associates with Leo (Robert Prosky), a powerful gangster. Unfortunately for Frank, Leo wants to keep him in his employ, resulting in a tense showdown when he finally tries to give up his criminal activities once and for all.

Director: Michael Mann
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Ronnie Caan
Screenwriter: Michael Mann
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: United Artists
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 27, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Surround