Retro Film Review: The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

When Hollywood shoots so many remakes of classic 1960s and 1970s films it is reasonable to expect at least one of those remakes to be of the same quality or even better than the original. This happened with John McTiernan's 1999 thriller The Thomas Crown Affair, remake of Norman Jewison's 1968 film.

Protagonist of the film is Thomas Crown (played by Pierce Brosnan), New York billionaire who is able to get anything money can buy. The only thing he lacks in his life is excitement and he wants to get it through things money can't buy. Priceless works of art belong to such category and Crown decides to steal Monet's painting from Metropolitan Museum. The heist is complete success and police, led by Detective McMann (played by Denis Leary), is clueless until attractive insurance investigator Catherine Banning (played by Rene Russo) becomes involved in the investigation. She is not just attractive woman, but also a very experienced in her job and she proves that by quickly determining that Crown was the perpetrator of the crime. The problem for Banning is in the lack of evidence and she tries to solve it through unconventional means, including her body. Crown is more than aware that the attractive investigator wants to bring him down but he is nevertheless thrilled with this combination of mind games and seduction.

New version of The Thomas Crown Affair is better than original, but this is hardly an accomplishment because the time wasn't very kind to Jewison's film. Split-screen techniques and delightful individualistic amorality used to be groundbreaking in late 1960s, but today the best thing that film is remembered for is Michel Legrand's song "Windmills Of My Mind". John McTiernan, filmmaker with the reputation of one of the most successful action directors in modern Hollywood, took less "artsy" and more conventional approach to the story, making this film look more attractive and effective. Complicated action scenes are marvel to watch and cinematography by Tom Priestly Jr. provides entertaining glimpse of the expensive houses, wardrobe and other manifestations of the bored tycoon's lifestyle. Bill Conti covers all that with very effective music score.

The casting was right for this sort of film. Pierce Brosnan, who made a career playing James Bond, is very comfortable in another role that requires suaveness and seductive charisma. Rene Russo is also very credible in the role of intelligent and capable woman unafraid to use her sexuality as a weapon. Russo was unafraid to disrobe in front of camera, which was very rare for established Hollywood actresses in her age. That bravery served film very well, adding an extra erotic dimension to the story. Brosnan and Russo had great chemistry together and they were one of the more realistic on-screen couples in last few years. Denis Leary is also very effective as character who serves as voice of reason and puts all events in their proper context.

This version of The Thomas Crown Affair is good film, but it is far from perfect and it is unlikely that it could match its predecessor's cult status. This is mostly due to script. The middle section of the film is slightly overlong and the subplot related to Crown's trophy mistress (played by supermodel Esther Canadas) wasn't really necessary. The transformation of Banning from determined investigator to the woman in love isn't handled properly. The ending is slightly over the top. But all those flaws should be forgiven because of one single accomplishment - this film is one of rare entries in John McTiernan's filmography that doesn't feature excessive violence. After watching The Thomas Crown Affair the world is going to be slightly better looking place.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on August 14th 2004)

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