About this episode
In this episode, the hosts discuss Michael Mann's film THIEF and its themes with guest Kelly Krantz.
Michael Mann’s debut THIEF is pretty fully formed, a tightly wound caper with the grit of a ‘70s movie and the pizazz of an ‘80s thriller. Frank (James Caan) is an ex-convict and current master thief with a one-track mind: Make the money, marry the girl, make the family, live in peace at last. This being a movie, none of those things happen as he expects them to. In this episode with guest Kelly Krantz, we talk about the pitiful antihero at the center of THIEF , the supporting cast (including Tuesday Weld and Willie Nelson), the Tangerine Dream score, and the crushing effect of the American carceral system on the American dream itself. Find Kelly… On Bluesky at @kransekage.bsky.social On Twitter at @kransekage_ On Letterboxd at @luckyhoss On Trylove episodes: WINGS OF DESIRE (1987), ARREBATO (1979), PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (1974), REVOLVER (1973), THE DOOM GENERATION (1995), THE NIGHT PORTER (1974), REMEMBER MY NAME (1978), PLAY IT AS IT LAYS (1972), OUTLAND (1981), BASIC INSTINCT (1992) Give to these causes in need during ICE’s occupation of Minnesota: Support Minnesotans defending their communities from ICE: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/ @sanctuarysupplydepot: Mutual aid…
People in this episode
Host: Trylove
Guest: Kelly Krantz
Topics covered
- film analysis
- antihero
- American dream
- carceral system
- 1980s cinema
Keywords
- THIEF
- Michael Mann
- James Caan
- 1980s film
- antihero
- Tangerine Dream
- American dream
- carceral system
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Tangerine Dream, ISAIAH, sanctuarysupplydepot, mplsmutualaid
Books & works: THIEF
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- Episode 385: DRAGNET GIRL (1933) · June 2, 2026 · 1h 10m
- Episode 384: THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA (1958) · May 26, 2026 · 1h 50m
- Episode 383: SANSHO THE BAILIFF (1954) · May 19, 2026 · 1h 50m
- Episode 382: A HEN IN THE WIND (1948) · May 12, 2026 · 1h 36m
- Episode 381: FAMILY PLOT (1976) · May 5, 2026 · 1h 25m
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