Michael Mann is an acclaimed filmmaker, writer and producer. He's best known for his work in television (notably
Miami Vice) and in the genre of crime drama, often taking place in
cities which are explored in loving detail.
He's a major proponent of digital cinematography, having shot
Collateral,
Miami Vice and
Public Enemies with High-Definition video cameras rather than 35mm film cameras. His visual style and action sequences are equally famous and distinctive.
If you were thinking of a different Michael Mann, such as the climate scientist,
Wikipedia may be able to help you.
His filmography includes:
Tropes common in his work include:
- All There in the Manual: A lot of character traits are explained in depth on the DVD commentary or in detailed character profiles he writes for the cast.
- Badass in a Nice Suit: John Dillinger being only the latest. His antagonists generally wear nice suits, with Magua being an exception.
- Bittersweet Ending / Downer Ending: Frequently the end of his films.
- Byronic Hero: Many of his heroes.
- Cool Guns: Commonly found in his work.
- Electronic Music: Notably by Tangerine Dream, and often used as long soundscapes rather than to intensify action.
- Film Noir: Much of his work leans heavily into this—especially Miami Vice (The Movie, more so than the show), Crime Story, Heat, Collateral, and Public Enemies.
- Grey and Gray Morality/Black and Gray Morality: Only Collateral shows a stark difference between the antagonist and protagonist. His other films? Not as much.
- The Lost Lenore
- Shown Their Work: Regarding the law's enforcement, its breaking, and his settings. Heat in particular is very accurate in how the actors handle their firearms. Blackhat is also notable in this regard, being rather accurate in its portrayal of computer security.
- Signature Style: He favours a minimalistic composition shape and color-wise, shallow focus and color coding to focus the viewer's attention on important elements; for example, he uses water and the color blue to convey calm and melancholy.
- Sliding Scale of Idealism vs. Cynicism: Always on the cynical side.
- The Stoic: A lot of his characters, if they're not byronic heroes, they're this.
- Vice City: A frequent setting of his work.
