It's funny trying to picture Willie Nelson singing "Always On My Mind" after seeing him play a convict in the movie Thief.
But, of course, the star of the heist film is James Caan. Released in 1981, Thief was Michael Mann's directorial and screenwriting debut, and it was one of the earliest films Jerry Bruckheimer produced.
What struck me about Thief when I first saw it was its tone and visual style are identical to Heat. In fact, the opening sequence of Thief is reminiscent of a scene in Heat when they were trying to crack into a vault with a drilling machine.
Thief may not be Michael Mann's most talked-about film, but it's interesting to see the similarities and roots of his crime drama masterpiece Heat, which came out 14 years later. There's even an electronic music score by Tangerine Dream.
One of the most outstanding and memorable performances of all time was James Caan playing the hot-headed Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. Interestingly, James Caan is Jewish, not Italian, and he played the part perfectly, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
When a movie role calls for a mean and tough, but still likable character, like in Thief, James Caan fits the bill perfectly. He's had a long career in Hollywood, and I'll sure miss him.
Rest in peace, Mr. Caan.
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