Violent Streets – Der Einzelgänger (1981)

Violent Streets – Der Einzelgänger: Directed by Michael Mann. With James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson, Jim Belushi. An ace safe cracker wants to do one last big heist for the mob before going straight.

“Thief is written and directed by Michael Mann, who adapts the screenplay form the novel u0026quot;The Home Invadersu0026quot; written by Frank Hohimer. It stars James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, James Belushi and Willie Nelson. Music is by Tangerine Dream and cinematography by Donald Thorin.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFrank (Caan) is a tough ex-con and expert jewel thief. Heu0026#39;s working his way out to a normal life, but after being lured to a big job for the mob, he finds plans on both sides severely altered.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFor his first full length theatrical feature, Michael Mann announced himself to the film world with some distinction, and in the process showed everyone what style of film making makes him tick. Thief is a film of stylised grit, visually, thematically and narratively. Set and filmed in Chicago, Mann, aided by Thorin, shoots the story through pure neo-noir filters.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAt nighttime it is all a beautifully neon drenched haze, where the streets shimmer with dampness, a dampness brought about by the rain and god knows what else! By day thereu0026#39;s a sweaty hue, a feeling that the heat is well and truly on, that even in daylight Frank isnu0026#39;t safe, his dreams may be a touch too far to reach. And no matter what the scene or scenario, Tangerine Dream are laying over the top a throbbing pulse beat, itu0026#39;s like The Warriors trying to get back to Coney Island, the music has a sense of dread about it, that danger is at every corner.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis part of Chicago stinks, itu0026#39;s a vile and corrupt place. Dirty cops everywhere, underworld criminals ruling the roost – Hell! You can even buy a baby if you want one. Is it any wonder that Frank just wants to settle down with a wife and child, to walk barefooted in the sea, to have domesticity? But Frank, as smart, tough and savvy as he is, seems to thrive on the edge of things, with Mann giving him earthy and honest dialogue to engage us with, marking him out as an identifiable every man protagonist who just happens to be an exceptional thief.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMannu0026#39;s attention to detail is on show straight away, none more so than with the two key safe cracking jobs that are undertaken. Using genuine jewel thieves as technical advisers on the film, these sequences ooze realism, from the tools used, the pre-planning and the execution of the takes, it smacks of reality and does justice to the genuine feel of the characterisations brought alive by the superb cast. And finally Mann delivers a finale of ambiguity, a noir shaded piece of abruptness, an ending that perfectly fits the whole production. 9/10”