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?