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.

[@ozymandiasultor9480]

How does that explain outbursts? Hanna has no money to buy his poison, so he has outbursts? I have been with many different types who were and are using that stuff, and violent outbursts are not exactly something that happens if they have their snow... Sure, when there is no snow most can start being nervous and outbursts can be expected, but that character has enough money to feed his habit.

[@chrisspencer6502]

@@ozymandiasultor9480your head is up…. Having spent plenty of time around people before they become flake addicts his actions are exactly on script

[@roel.vinckens]

​@@ozymandiasultor9480 You've been inside the habit ? Violent outbursts are constantly just below the surface. Not everyone erupts, but the volcano never really sleeps.

[@ozymandiasultor9480]

@@roel.vinckens Maybe... I have seen the effect on people who were not exactly aggressive criminals, so maybe I am wrong.

[@jamaalmcphee9332]

There was a scene which slides to his coke habit. And it wasn’t subtle.

[@americanpaisareturns9051]

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.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

Mann's style of work to me is reminiscent of William Friedkin; who's style came from making documentaries.

[@silentm999]

Who's the cinematographer?

[@josephgowling1794]

Yeah sums it up , the insider to

[@ajtaylor8750]

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.

[@thhseeking]

Hauptmann Klaus Woermann?

[@afrosamourai400]

Was hanna or max really looking for meaning?

[@mobbaddictchannel]

​​@@afrosamourai400I think Max is not actively looking for a meaning but he starts questioning his own life after meeting the lawyer woman and the killer. At the end of the movie you can feel that he came a long way personally. In Heat I feel like Neil is the more central character of the movie and a better representation of Michael Mann's existentialism. Vincent is too involved in his own job to really question himself. He's a bit like the character Pacino plays in Insomnia actually.

[@ThEKilLInGJOkEr2]

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

[@blairmcauley2497]

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

[@afrosamourai400]

He was also great as Lestat..

[@ink-_-]

@@afrosamourai400 And also as Frank T.J. Mackey!

[@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

[@zacegan1]

Batman Beyond with that neon 😮

[@visno]

@@zacegan1 if anyone is a hyper competent weirdo that has weird family stress and personality disorders it’s fuckin batman amirite?

[@Malum09]

THE BATMAN practically apes his and Fincher's Style.

[@lv2465]

The Dark Knight is as close to a Michael Mann version we'll ever get.

[@olaleyeonikuyide7541]

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

[@T23T-vz6qb]

Heat 2 the movie is already in pre-production. To be directed by Mann and starring Adam Driver.

[@olaleyeonikuyide7541]

@@T23T-vz6qb thanks for your reply! Exciting and concerning. I’m not sure how they cover all that material properly over the course of one movie. I’d prefer a series to that or multiple movies, but we’ll see!

[@scientist23wannabe_23]

Have old al pacino naratte his experiences

[@brenthenshaw3585]

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.

[@avace917]

I was hoping they would mention that.

[@trevorallen5266]

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)

[@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.

[@Magdalena8008s]

Ha.

[@lv2465]

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.

[@superdave3093]

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?

[@Bobbytheman98]

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

[@fredbloggs5902]

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

[@fredbloggs5902]

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.

[@BMeneau]

Art can give you cowns in heaven and laurels on earth, but... :-)

[@chloemchll3774]

Absolutely- most movies of his either have the absent father (his autobiography) or the man who learns how to be a father (his wish fulfillment fantasy as a child for his own relationship with his dad, or perhaps what he hoped he would be as a father because of what he felt he lacked as a child.) My favorite example of this is in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indy’s dad (one of Sean Connery’s best performances, btw) is the absent while still in the house cliche a lot of Spielberg’s characters were at the beginning of the movie (during the flashback sequence with young Indy) but over the course of the movie morphs into a much better father (albeit too late to matter to Young Indy, but better late than never) over the course of the adventure. Even something like Schindler’s List has Oskar become a sort of father figure protecting the workers in his factory throughout WW2 as part of Nazi Germany. It is definitely a trope in his movies even when it is barely there.

[@fernandomaron87]

​@@chloemchll3774Hook(1991) has the same themes, also ET but is the mom instead of the dad.

[@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)

[@GarfieldRex]

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

[@arturovandeley]

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

[@Atif_Ph.D._Kate_Bush_Fan_Club]

Dude Tokyo Vice did have a second season. Here in the UK 🇬🇧 both seasons were uploaded to BBC iPlayer together.

[@arturovandeley]

@@Atif_Ph.D._Kate_Bush_Fan_Club thanks!

[@johngriffiths118]

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

[@GUNMETALGUYUSA]

This was an intense and entertaining deep dive into one my favorite director/producer. This type of movie and character work was an integral part of my teen/adult life. A Man's search for identity and centering is even More Important in this society that sucker punches the idea on a daily basis. Subscribing Was UNAVOIDABLE.

[@miguelcomas3157]

Every hyper skilled man i know struggles with this. Family or craft. Pick, because you only get one. Try not to fall to regret.

[@madhukarg8052]

Heat is my all time favourite Action Movie

[@kevinmaruthananth9510]

It’s my all time favourite movie.

[@nyrol]

Great video, as always!

[@taWay21]

Thief is so good!!!

[@cobra8888]

I did also notice when it comes to main villain in City Lights, the character is basically the same in a way. Take a look at Vincent from Collateral and Neil from Heat. Both wear suits, both dashing and have some street smart. Both have goatees (not sure if I am looking too into it but hey) and both execute their opponents same way. Two bullets on the chest, and one on the head to finish him off. I thought maybe somehow both movies are connected? Perhaps deep down their is in indeed an institution (based on Jamie Foxx's character Max) that brings out these people? Ok I guess I am reading too much into it. Bottom line there is a noticeable pattern.

[@user50]

while mann recycles / revisits motifs a lot, an "execution-style killing" isn't his creation... but it does fit in with the "high competence" theme

[@stridelighter]

Are the movies connected? Maybe Neil is Vincent's uncle - maybe even his Dad. Like father - like son.

[@TOFKAS01]

The reason why they are all the same is, that they all are based on the characters in the "Parker" novels by Donald E. Westlake.

[@HarvestStore]

Great video.

[@hellomate2405]

Thief 1981 is also a Michael mann classic

[@drewzalo]

Interesting Public Enemies was skipped

[@ProductBasement]

Anyone else remember the 2013 movie _The Heat_ starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy? Everything I hear about _Heat_ by Michael Mann, I have to remember that that is not the one with those women

[@EyesOfByes]

So, basically my dad.

[@andreagv3]

This "analysis" does not hold up to what Michael Mann has said over the years about his movies, nor to common critical opinion of his work. Ascribing characters' motivations to Mann's guilt at not spending time with his family or that "these male protagonists are stand-ins" to Mann's own autobiographical stories is frankly ridiculous and unsubstantiated. Film criticism should analyse what is shown, not try to invent invade the personal psychology of the author. Unless there is a clear declaration of intent or meaning by the director themself. And as far as I know, Mann has never considered his work autobiographical or mentioned any guilt at all because his job can take him from away family. If you have other sources Nerdstalgic, definitely post them, otherwise stop making things up. You are not in Michael Mann's head.

[@MisterMonsieur]

3:25 -- Wig-an? It's pronounced Why-Gan ... so obviously *somebody* didn't watch the movie. They say it a dozen times! 🙄

[@onepcwhiz6847]

I just saw Ferrari and it holds true it it as well.

[@giodhuha6771]

What about Blackhat?

[@leperpens]

Wow, i forgot how much Will Smith's portrayal of one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century seemed like someone whose head was cooked in a microwave for 8-12 seconds...

[@jaimel88]

Wtf why are they assuming Mann has no social life? lol

[@VaderKneeling]

Mannhunterrr

[@BDnevernind]

I don't understand how you get to claim this thesis about Mann without showing any evidence that you have a clue what his real life is like. Did I miss something here like a reference to his biography? I'm not saying you're wrong -- I know nothing about him -- but it's ludicrous to assume any writer's characters are just based on the writer's innermost struggles. I think you skipped the part where you show us how you know this is true of Mann.

[@Maniacbob]

Nah, this is a classic case of someone noticing a detail and then making sweeping claims about the life of an artist with no real evidence. Notice how Michael Mann has directed over 20 movies but this video only references 4 or 5 of them. I bet that if you only look at a quarter of any director's filmography that you could make some pretty provocative statements about them with little basis in reality.

[@superdave3093]

Thank you. I stated something similar in my comment about this as well. 🙏👌

[@cosmicspacebub5978]

@@Maniacbobfacts. It’s like saying Scorsese only makes mob movies when in actuality, that’s only 25% of his entire filmography. Interesting thesis here but it falls short on the lack of evidence.

[@anthonynorkus9898]

@@Maniacbob what are you talking about? Michael Mann has directed 14 movies

[@colinswartz6022]

Interesting take on Mann's work, but I don't think an attempt at psychoanalysing tells us anything about the personal life of the artist. Do you know anything about Mann's personal life? Maybe his work/life balance is awesome. I did a quick check. He's been married to the same woman since 1974 and has four kids. Maybe he just likes certain themes and characters. He's one of my top five directors of all time, but I don't claim to know what his personal life is like. Saying his work is "autobiographical" is purely speculative.

[@TOFKAS01]

Personaly he is definately not the typical Hollywoodguy.

[@WilliamJames48]

It's not uncommon amongst autuers. Scorsese, Spike, QT, and The Coens all do the same thing.

[@Dreadwinner]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@shirleymental4189]

So he never made Manhunter then?

[@13uxbaum]

While I agree with some of the basic insights here, whoever penned the voiceover presumptuously attributes an individual, autobiographical sensibility to what is far more likely to be generational/cultural/class-based in origin. Mann is not exactly reinventing the wheel here. He's handling the root material differently than, say, Scorsese or Coppola, but the liminal male figure struggling to reconcile American capitalist values with traditional domestic obligations would be recognizable and identifiable to an enormous segment of his audience (particularly second/third gen immigrants), not to mention his postwar cohort at large. Obviously there is some element of projection at work - the same goes for any artist/author! - and Mann excels at addressing the general by way of the particular. But I doubt he is so cheaply and directly transposing a personal neurosis onto narrative. To assume so requires *more* rather than less conjecture, especially given how reticent he is about his personal life.

[@decidueye2963]

No Jeffrey Wigand?

[@rasheedrashad6831]

Couldn't disagree more. A filmmaker as talented as Mann would not lend himself to such a binomial expression. No Mann's movies are much broader than this. They are more in line with films like One Flew over the Cukoo's nest. They are individual in society at thier core. The individual trying to fit I to a broader society. Not at all limited to a singular relationship.

[@deniss.6205]

Just like Chris Nolan, most of his potagonists are the same.

[@yodon6867]

Michael Mann movies are amazing except Miami Vice he should have got Matthew McConaughey to play Sunny. Jamie Foxx and Matthew McConaughey on Miami Vice would have been a great movie

[@thhseeking]

You like "The Keep", too? :P

[@johndoe-gh2or]

The video is word vomit

[@OldDemonTooth]

Exactly, while the main theme stands up the assertion that it is autobiographical without ANY demonstrations of Mann's personal life is stupid.

[@orangewarm1]

Nerdstalgic, you talk like you know Mann personally. Did he tell you he was struggling and juggling his personal and professional life? You used the word 'obviously' several times. Things arent as obvious as you seem to think. I do think you made several good points about emotional vulnerability and hyper competence though.

[@maritide8822]

The characters are bit one dimensional, at least I don’t empathize much

[@tylerhackner9731]

Might as well be

[@feedthesnake3394]

so.... spider-man

[@phyarth8082]

Heat movies (1995) is nice twist on globalization reverse Godfather's where ties with old country is more important than criminal activity. Even criminal activity destroys family completely, but it is family based enterprise :) Neil McCauley - can not name his ancestry he care only about money and no drives drives he have. We want to hurt no one. We're here for the bank's money, not your money. Your money is insured by the federal government, you're not gonna lose a dime. Think of your families, don't risk your life. Don't try and be a hero. „ ~ Neil's most famous quote. It is describes today reality no tribal gangs no Italians, no Irish, no Jamaicans or no jews, no Russians. Or every Russian have tree passports and claims that Russia is where he money makes and Swiss passport where he money saves lol. Maybe sportsman team just supporting color of jerseys but some tribal, identity of countries religion, different culture is good thing. Heat is good movie which defines new genre, faceless corporations but also faceless criminals without any roots just insane drive for money. if Godfather's was last Mohican of gangster movies thus Heat was new genre of gangster movies faceless and nameless gangster's which only motif to get money.

[@lordcolinb]

😊

[@nhac-space]

great, howl

[@SchmergDergen]

Can you do one on how all the MCU's female characters are the same starting in 2019?

[@gustavbrinkel5489]

Not the same, similar.

[@OldDemonTooth]

Cool... Thanks for giving ZERO insight into Mann's ACTUAL personal life while boldly claiming his work is autobiographical. A person's interests are not always the same as their lives. While a GREAT look into Mann's artistic concentrations, it is a WILD leap to assume it reflects his personal life in any way. This feels like some junior-level college essay bullshit. To me, this reveals more about the lives of this video's writer(s), than Mann's home life.

[@Promatuer]

Have you heard of a guy called Steven Seagal??

[@thhseeking]

I am aware of his work 🤣

[@OldDemonTooth]

Sadly, yes...

[@zzay3345]

Algorithm

[@stanleypasquale7080]

So my friend,you have to understand he ,it is someone with a agenda, I watch that crap for years,but do you think he 😂got to the point of his talent,think about it 😂,what is the main theme of his work! Think about it,it’s not that deep 😅

[@raresmihaiiordache9356]

First eyyy🎉🎉

[@vladtepes3201]

Pathetic

[@pauperslament3467]

::vomits::