**The Thomas Crown Affair disappointed even with a solid cast, crew, and concept.**

I really wanted to like this movie. What could go wrong with Pierce Brosnan as the lead and John McTiernan at the helm of a sophisticated heist film? Sadly, it wasn’t what I had hoped. The Thomas Crown Affair was more of a romance movie with some art robbery mixed in. The film’s musical score reminded me of cheap elevator music that distracted much more than enhanced. The movie also threw some rather long, awkward sex scenes and nudity that were completely unnecessary. Those scenes are always unnecessary to me, but these were extra cringe. I expected much more from a film that regularly charts high on all-time heist movie lists.

Great romance-crime-drama featuring two wonderful performances from Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo who share incredible chemistry in their cat-and-mouse play. The crime element is also well done, although how Crowne gets the painting into that small briefcase still confuses me. But seen this one several times over the years and it's entertaining every single time. **4.25/5**

At times superior to the original and yet frustratingly inferior overall.

The original had that 60s leanness to it with little dialogue and moodiness in place of narrative. That doesn't immediately mean that the remake is inferior. But the ending of the original being so open-ended... Will she follow on? Was she duped or angry at failing to dupe?

The remake takes certain aspects of the relationship and makes them less opaque. In this version, they clearly have fallen for each other and, though the sport is still there, the intention is unequivocal.

And that's ultimately to its detriment.

Brosnan is perhaps too cocky. Russo is giddy for much of the second half. Yet their chemistry is good.

All in all though, it's a decent attempt to beef up the plot. I liked the art heists more as a concept though maybe they weren't shot as well. It's the changing of the relationship dynamic that sets this back.


Confusingly as a rating I give it a little more than the original because it is beefier and more polished - though inferior when taking in to consideration only that it is not the original.

If we lived in a world where I was asked to recommend this version and deny the other ever existed, I'd rate it as follows:

7.25/10

****Brosnan And Russo Dance****
Allow me to be romantic. For this is a romance, after all.

Remember that time you were with her (or him) when you suddenly, for the first time, thought, "I think I might be in love with her"? And the supreme pleasure of that thought was tinged with an element of doubt..."but what if she doesn't feel the same way"?
Take the first stirrings of love and blend it with a smoothness. Smooth like smooth jazz. Like a warm brandy. Smooth like a ballad sung by Sting. "The Thomas Crown Affair" is smooth.
This is my favorite film by Rene Russo. She is so smart and so stunning. She could easily be the object of an artist's affections, right?
Remington Steele. Bond, James Bond. In "Thomas Crown". Pierce Brosnan gets the role where he is his smoothest. No sharp edges. Collected even when not cool. Like a muted trumpet. Like a Modigliani.
They play the game of confidence, where the artist promises to trust the pigeon. Not since "Double Indemnity" has the business of insurance been this sexy. There are other worthy performances here, but this is a pas de deux, aided by some wonderful writing.
The final sequences are clever, captivating, perhaps confusing in the best way, but then....smooth.
Why compare this film to the original? Why compare a Modigliani to a Titian? Just enjoy the ride.


My Score: 7/10.