Acclaimed director Michael Mann is best known for movies like 1995’s “Heat” and 2004’s “Collateral” but his directorial debut in 1981 with “Thief” signalled the arrival of a bold new talent in Hollywood. A neo-noir crime drama ‘Thief’ is remembered most for it’s influential style and cinematography. The movie is dark, using shadows and reflected light, plus asymmetrical framing, to visually communicate the blurry line between good and evil. The neon lit city of Chicago serves as a character in the film, its darkened maze-like streets emphasizing the feeling of isolation and anonymity in society.
A stylish heist movie “Thief” follows protagonist Frank, a master jewel thief. After 10 years in the clink, Frank has moved up in the world. He now presents himself as a legitimate businessman owning a high-end used car dealership Rocket Motor Sales. But is just a front to clean the money Frank gets from cracking safes and stealing diamonds with his trusted crew of Barry and Nick. Frank wants to take down one more score before retiring, and reluctantly agrees to do a job for Leo, a boss of the Chicago mob who admires Frank’s skills. Big boss Leo tries to be more than an employer to Frank. He provides him with sound financial advice, and even helps Frank and his waitress girlfriend buy a baby on the black market. Leo is helping Frank to achieve all his dreams in life.
After Frank’s final job, he meets with Leo to collect his $830K share of the $4 Million heist. Leo hands over only $100K and tells Frank that the rest has been invested for him. Furious Frank warns the mafioso “I can see my money is still in your pocket, which is from the yield of my labour. What gratitude? You are making big profits from my work, my risk, my sweat, but that is okay. Because I elected it to make that deal, but now that deal is over. I want my end, and I am out.“.
The film has been interpreted as an allegory for class struggle; a critique of capitalism, specifically focusing on the exploitation of the blue-collar worker by corporate power. But this is Demaras Racing, not Rotten Tomatoes. Rather than focusing on subtext, lets explore the cool cars of Michael Mann’s “Thief“.
1980 Cadillac Eldorado 2-Door Coupe
The opening scene of the movie shows Frank’s black Cadillac Eldorado cruising through the rain-soaked Chicago streets at night. As an ex-con gone good, the Cadillac is a symbol of class and sophistication and is very much an extension of Frank’s character. Michael Mann believed the Cadillac added a certain subtext to the character, and the shot of the long, black hood reflecting the city lights was re-used by Mann in the iconic Miami Vice scene with a Ferrari Daytona.
The Eldorado is a good example of neo-classical car design, popular in 1981, where automakers took elements of pre-war cars and implemented them into modern vehicles. The big chrome grill, wire wheels and white wall tires copy the elegance of Duesenberg and Stutz models of the 1920s and 1930s. At 16′ long, the 2-door coupe is a huge car by today’s standards but the powerful 350 cid V8 engine could be relied upon for quick getaways, as the smooth independent suspension could glide over rough city streets. Inside the opulent, woodgrain interior Frank has installed a police scanner radio in the dashboard (his own Batmobile) and the trunk was large enough to carry industrial drills and other tools of crime.
1977 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
If the elegant Cadillac is a reflection of Frank’s character, the younger member of Frank’s crew (Barry, played by Jim Belushi) driving a Corvette Stingray makes equal sense. The white sports car is perfect for a young guy who wants to ‘show off’ a little, but it would attract attention in a way that an ex-con like Frank would not find ideal.
The 1977 Corvette was equipped with a robust Chevy ‘small block’ V8 that could power the lightweight, fiberglass-bodied car in a getaway. But a flashy, 2-seat sports car is not exactly the kind of non-descript vehicle one would use robbing a bank.
It’s interesting to note that in Michael Mann’s later movie ‘Heat’ the head of the crew (DeNiro) drives a Cadillac, while younger enforcer (Val Kilmer) drives a white Chevy Camaro, very similar to Barry’s Corvette. It’s like Mann has just been making the same movie over and over, refining his craft.
I Change Cars Like Other Guys Change Their Shoes!
The movie’s anti-hero Frank has come a long way since his decade in jail. He owns a house, a bar, and a used car lot called Rocket Auto Sales where he sells high-end vehicles like Lincoln and Cadillac. This also gives him access to all kinds of cars to use in his crimes, without leading back to him.
Frank has a blue 1974 Pontiac Grand Am four-door sedan. This massive land-yacht is powered by a 400 cubic-inch big-block V8 and can seat up to six men. Wildly styled compared to a modern car, at the time of filming, this was just a plain old ’70s car. Frank also has access to a boxy 1980 Buick Regal 2-door, a vehicle that Buick sold 215,000 of that year alone, making it so common nobody would even notice one driving down the street. It’s likely the Regal Sport Coupe with its turbocharged V6 engine. These cars are just tools Frank uses for his safe-cracking, diamond thefts.