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ThiefRating:
Release Date: 04 June, 2002 Retail Price: $14.94 OUR Price: $9.99 You SAVE: $4.95! Cast: Complete Cast (15 total) |
Thief Reviews
"I am the last guy in the world you wanna f*** with!!"
+++++
This movie is based on the book "The Home Invaders" by Frank Hohimer, himself a professional thief. (Hohimer was serving time in prison at the time this movie was being made.)
Meet Frank (James Caan), the lone wolf "worker" of this movie. He says the following to his eventual wife Jessie (Tuesday Weld):
"I wear $150 slacks, I wear silk shirts, I wear $800 suits, I wear a gold watch, I wear a perfect, flawless...three-carat ring, I change cars like other guys change their...shoes. I'm a [jewel] thief."
The quotation that titles this review is what Frank says when he's mad.
This movie follows the life of an aging jewel thief whose only dream now is to retire from his "trade" and have a family. A Chicago syndicate boss Leo (Robert Prosky) offers him to do a heist that will make his dreams come true. The lone wolf is not used to working with others and things don't go according to plan.
This is a gritty, very realistic crime drama. In fact, the thief's "tools of the trade" used by James Caan are authentic and not props. Real-life thieves were used to play bit parts in this movie. The dialogue is want you would expect among thieves (and thus is foul).
James Caan as Frank steals (no pun intended) the show. His acting is magnificent. Robert Prosky as the mob boss Leo also does a decent job. Willie Nelson has a small part in this movie as the old thief who taught Frank everything he knows.
Some people find the background music associated with this movie bad. I, however, disagree. I found it exhilarating. As well, this is a very colorful movie in parts.
The DVD (special director's edition) itself is perfect in picture and sound clarity. It has a few extras, all of them interesting.
Finally, I did have a few problems with this movie. First, there is James Belushi as Barry, Frank's trusted aid. Belushi is a comic (he was even when this movie was made) even though he does not play a comic in this movie. I felt he undermined the realism of the movie due simply to his comic reputation. Second, this movie is somewhat slow moving in its first half but picks up considerably in its second half. Lastly, the movie is predictable but, as I stated above, Caan's excellent performance, the dialogue, the music, and the color of the movie keep you interested.
In conclusion, this is a slick crime drama where James Caan gives one of his best performances!!
(1981; 2 hr; widescreen; rated `R;' 32 scenes)
+++++
A Sizziling Film thats Cool as Ice.
If Caan made this movie to breakout from his Sonny Corleone persona, then he chose an excellent vehicle. Director Michael Mann takes the viewer by the scruff of their neck from the opening scene to the haunting finale. Tangerine Dream provides the auditory stimulation that makes the listener feel as if they're part of Caan's latest heist and the director of photography gives the viewer just a touch of claustraphobia as we get inside Canns mind and fractured soul.
Caan plays the title character Frank, an ex-con and jewel thief who knows his star is about to burn out and will stop at nothing to complete his version of the good life. James Belushi plays his partner in crime and Tuesday Weld plays Frank's love interest. Caan later makes the mistake of getting involved with Robert Prosky's (of Hill Street Blues fame) character and soon Caan's life goes into a predicatble freefall.
The story is fairly straightforward, but the combo of Caan, Mann, and Tangerine Dream makes for a mesmerizing experience. Although the frantic and chaotic trip through Frank's life makes for terrific movie making, the Willie Nelson character acts as an anchor, on an otherwise thrilling rollercoaster ride. In truth, I may simply have not liked Willie Nelson himself in this role, though.
This is without a doubt, a well crafted and well acted movie, that is more experience then entertainment.
More Customer Reviews (15 total)
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