Review of Thief (1981) by Classified C — 29 Mar 2004

[b]FINAL DESTINATION (James Wong, 2000) - 6.5 / pro.

[/b]I liked the basic idea right from the start and the film mostly succeeds to make the simple premise interesting. I wished the death (or better the writer) would have a little more imagininative and creative.

[b]THIEF (MICHAEL MANN, 1980) - 4.0 / con.

[/b]I didn't like Michael Mann's first film the least. The formula "con-man meets a girl and does one last job before he can quit and is betrayed by his 'employer'" is ordinary. Unfortunately Mann neither brings anything new to the table or makes the worthwhile by succeeding in any other field. The visuals are not on the same level as his later films and the dialogue is sometimes pretty bad. James Caan doesn't save the film from drowning.

[b]WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (Robert Aldrich, 1962) - 8.5 / PRO.

[/b]I have the strange feeling that I might be much more enthusiastic about this film than most of you are. To me it's the best film I have seen in almost three months.

The two leading actresses are magnificient. First of all they have to be cheered for their willingness to particpiate in this film. Bette Davis is incredibly versatile in this film. Somtimes she is mad, sometimes sadistic. Sometimes she behaves like the husnband in this relationship and sometimes she is jus an innocent kid. Joan Crawford isn't less impressive. The moment, when we see for the first time is heart-breaking. The film is part drama, part thriller and works of both. The film is slightly too long, but the end is beautifully composed and the line "we could have been friends" give the film some impact at the end.