Michael Mann's accomplishments as a film director have given respectability to a man heretofore known mostly as the creator of television's ``Miami Vice.'' He's been justly recognized for his work on ``Manhunter,'' ``The Last of the Mohicans'' and ``The Insider.'' What you may not know is that he made a very good movie in 1981, three years before ``Miami Vice.'' That was ``Thief,'' starring James Caan, Tuesday Weld, James Belushi and Robert Prosky. It was made in the dark, dazzling style that would become Mann's trademark. Caan gives one of his best performances as the ice-cool master burglar who hopes to haul in enough from one big heist to allow him to settle down with his wife (Weld) and adopted son. Of course, those dreams never come true in movies. His underworld contacts, unaware of a dark, scary side to his character, try to cheat him. The film is slow in spots (you have to get through the stuff about love and family), but builds to a rip-roaring climax.
