THE CURBSIDE CRITERION: THIEF

(We here at Hammer to Nail are all about true independent cinema. But we also have to tip our hat to the great films of yesteryear that continue to inspire filmmakers and cinephiles alike. This week, “The Curbside Criterion” continues where HtN staff can trot out thoughts on the finest films ever made. This week Brad Cook steals away with the new 4K release of Thief, Michael Mann’s first feature film.)

My recent review of Guillermo del Toro’s Cronos noted that movies from first-time directors “are always interesting to watch, because you can often see the rough clay that was being molded into the excellent works of art that came later.” Well, here I am again with Michael Mann’s 1981 feature film debut, Thief, out now in a new 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray edition from Criterion.

Inspired by the memoirs of a real cat burglar, the film stars James Caan as Frank, an ex-convict who seems to have adopted a straight-and-narrow path but actually uses his two businesses — a used car dealership and a bar — as fronts for his ongoing criminal activity. Tuesday Weld is Jessie, a restaurant cashier with whom Frank would like to settle down and start a family.

Of course, he gets roped into what he thinks will be his last big score, only to find that the criminals he has allied himself with aren’t interested in letting him go easily. He’s been tasked with a major diamond heist that will involve pulling in his buddy Barry (James Belushi, in his film debut) and turning to a source for the insanely high-temperature “burning bar” that will be used to open the vault.

Leo (Robert Prosky) is the guy with major Mafia connections who has pulled Frank into his orbit, even going so far as to help him and Jessie adopt a baby on the black market, since Frank’s background thwarts any traditional adoption process. He names the baby David, after his now-deceased mentor (Willie Nelson), who went by the nickname Okla.

You can see the groundwork laid here for Mann’s future directorial efforts: the scenes that come in late and get out early; complicated people who are nonetheless driven by some basic human impulses; and a detached, matter-of-fact style of storytelling that doesn’t try to influence the viewer with a point-of-view about any of the characters.

This new edition from Criterion features Mann’s preferred director’s cut of the movie, which adds a short scene to the theatrical version and features a bunch of smaller changes meant to evoke a darker, more violent mood. A new 4K restoration was commissioned, with the director overseeing and approving everything, so it’s not hyperbole when I say that this the definitive version of Thief on home video.

You’ll find two discs here, with the movie and an accompanying commentary track on both platters. The commentary features Mann and Caan discussing the movie, and it actually hails from 1995 (the LaserDisc days!). It’s not a bad commentary, but it does suffer from some lapses into silence; too bad Criterion wasn’t able to scrounge up one of those excellent tracks where a film historian gives an overall view of the movie.

The rest of the extras are of the archival variety too. You get interviews with Mann and Caan from 2013, running about 36 minutes total, along with a 16-minute piece with Tangerine Dream band member Johannes Schmoelling, who talks about the group’s work on the soundtrack.

That last one is interesting, since Thief actually earned a Razzie nomination for Worst Musical Score back in the day. Revisiting the film in the modern era, though, I can appreciate the way it provides a counterpoint to the visuals. Mann apparently considered a blues-infused soundtrack, but I think that would have been too on-the-nose, especially for a director who has always defined a specific style for himself.

Finally, Criterion also included a fold-out with an essay by critic Nick James. Remember when I said that this is the definitive version of Thief on home video? Yeah, I was really referring to the audio/visual presentation — I wouldn’t mind seeing an edition with some updated bonus features one of these days.

– Brad Cook (@BradCWriter)

Criterion; Michael Mann; Thief