How Every Michael Mann Character Is Secretly The Same

On the surface most characters in Michael Mann movies might seem wildly disparate. Films like Heat, Collateral, Thief, and Ali showcase highly skilled characters, performing at their highest level, all while battling internal issues that stem from their obsession. It seems a lot of what Michael Mann creates comes from a sudo-autobiographical place. But why does Michael Mann seemingly use the same tropes and character types in all his movies? Does Michael Mann see himself in his own characters?

#michaelmann #heat #ferrari #filmmaking

[_The_Archive_]

Fun Fact: In an early draft of the script for Heat, Vincent Hanna had a cocaine habit, which, according to Al Pacino, explains his outbursts.

[americanpaisareturns]

Personally I like Michael Mann’s cinematography. He makes you feel like you’re actually there. Like the movie Collateral. It didn’t feel like I was watching a movie. It felt like I was actually there watching the sheit.

[ajtaylor]

Most of Michael Mann's films are about men dealing with existentialism. Neil Macauley, Vincent Hanna, Max in Collateral, Frank in Thief, etc. They all are trying to find meaning.

[ThEKilLInGJOkEr]

One of the best and underrated directors of all time! Real movie people know it but its a shame hes not a household name like Quentin or Marty

[blairmcauley]

Collateral is my favorite movie by Micheal Mann Tom cruise is great in that role he should play villains more often

[visno]

excellent breakdown of michael mann’s work. this is why i have always believed that michael mann is the perfect person to direct a gritty batman noir story, which could be a great jumping off point for a rebooted DCU, maybe a batman beyond storyline

[olaleyeonikuyide]

Phenomenal video. For Heat fans who want to delve deeper into that story, I strongly recommend Heat 2. Mann was involved in writing the book. Hopefully, we can get an HBO series or something that does the book justice. Casting younger versions on the actors would go a long way

[brenthenshaw]

Not to forget the Michael Mann produced series Crime Story, which has parallels to Heat. Several cast members were in the series, including Dennis Farina and Ted Levine, and the scene where Vincent leaves with his TV was lifted the seventh episode.

[EyesOfByes]

I've never seen a photo of Michael Mann before. I've always assumed he looked like a mix between Bay and Nolan. But to my surprise I got a Werner Herzog.

[trevorallen]

Funny, I thought this was going to be about his Protagonists having Gray Hair + wearing a Gray Suit: Ferrari, Collateral, The Insider, Heat (Deniro gray suit, black hair)

[superdave]

I don’t really necessarily think that he’s an autobiographical director. And honestly if he hasn’t said that, it’s all just speculation and opinion. And who’s to say EVERY director isn’t an autobiographical one, heck even a lot of actors use experiences from their own lives to fuel the characters they play. I think Michael Mann is just a good director that tells great stories. To say that he’s over compensating to portray that vision… I mean he is a director though so that’s his choice, right?

[lv]

Michael Mann is definitely one of my favourite directors. I've always been drawn to his way of film making. He's the master of creating the antihero, his characters are all written so well, there's no superpowers just experience and instinct. When the action starts it's concussive but professional, his music score is on point and to top it off he manages to make it all look grounded but stylish.

[Bobbytheman]

It’s animated but Evangelion and the connection it had to the creators depressive state. So much so that later in life he remade the whole series and based the direction of it off of the happiness he started to find later in life

[fredbloggs]

You forgot to mention that ‘Heat’ is effectively a remake of Mann’s earlier ‘L A Takedown’.

[fredbloggs]

The same argument could be made for many writer/directors.

Clint Eastwood, Luc Besson and Shane Black being obvious examples.

‘Anna’ being yet another version of Nikita.

[joeyskunk]

Steven Spielberg has the trope of the missing father. It becomes clear in "The Fablemans", where nearly every movie can be traced in the biography.

[GarfieldRex]

Enjoyed the essay 👌 now need of Darren Aronofsky :v love director's analysis

[johngriffiths]

Saw both Ferrari and Public Enemies yesterday . This analysis is on point

[bannnnner]

I didnt know Mann only directed 4 movies.... its like all the moles on my body are perfectly in one line (if i ignore all the others)

[arturovandeley]

I hope 'Tokyo Vice' gets a season 2 at least, to wrap the story.