MovieChat Forums > Thief (1981) Discussion > Location Questions

Location Questions

posted 11 years ago by jmillerdp
4 replies | jump to latest

One shot is in L.A., the next is in Chicago. And, I have been confused watching this before, and am guessing some others feel the same.

I've read the Wikipedia synopsis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thief_(film)

And, I take it they are in both cities. Living in Chicago, and doing heists in L.A. But, correct me if I'm wrong (but be gentle, please!), I don't remember much talk about the heists being in L.A. And, I don't remember any establishing shots of their traveling from one city to another.

Personally, that seems confusing to me, and probably to others. I love Michael Mann, and I especially love his movies set in L.A., where the city is essentially a character. And, I think it would have been cool if the whole movie was set in L.A.

Tell me if you agree that the locations get a kind of confusing in this film.

"I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP!" - Daniel Plainview - "There Will Be Blood"

[–] enzo_Q 11 years ago

wasnt confusing. he did the skyscraper job in LA and the rest of the movie is in Chicago. there is not much talk about LA besides asking for Pronsky for "LA plates". and there is only one establishing shot: the bank of california sign in the background.

Michael Mann is from Chicago, and he loves and knows the city, that is why the movie is set in Chicago.

Heat is in LA so..

[–] jmillerdp 11 years ago

Yeah, this is one of those things that just struck me. You can tell they were in Chicago and going to L.A. I probably just like establishing shots more than others!

Interesting that Mann is from Chicago, since L.A. has been instrumental in a number of his films.

"I. Drink. Your. Milkshake! [slurp!] I DRINK IT UP!" - Daniel Plainview - "There Will Be Blood"

[–] jrs-8 11 years ago

Also, after the heist, they are on the beach romping with the wives. When Frank gets back and goes to pick up the money one of the bodyguards asked him how long they were in San Diego?

[–] nitebelow 11 years ago

They don't spell it out, though, with a close-up of the Hollywood sign or anything. Sorta like how in Heat they just show up in Vegas.