THIEF

Michael Mann is one of cinema's great visual stylists. He's also one of the best directors of male dominated 'action' pictures still working, (his most recent film, "Blackhat" is a terrific thriller and has been massively underrated). He made "Thief" in 1981 and it's a classic. It's the kind of film about urban crime that could sit quite comfortably beside anything by Melville, (or for that matter early Kubrick or Aldrich or Joseph Lewis). It's one of the great crime films that isn't afraid of talk; good, intelligent, grown-up conversation magnificently delivered.

The thief of the title is James Caan and it may be his greatest performance. The woman in his life is the wonderful Tuesday Weld. Other thieves include Jim Belushi, a superlative Willie Nelson and the always great Robert Prosky who is phenomenal here. The plot is less important than the almost forensic analysis of how criminals go about their business. Amazingly this masterpiece wasn't really a success. Its cult status is guaranteed.