Thomas Crown

This DVD was an impulse buy, pure and simple. My wife and I like Pierce Brosnan, and I have enjoyed Renee Russo's other works, so what did I have to lose? Only my mind! This film was positively one of the most enjoyable, nail-biting, suspenseful romantic capers ever made.

A remake of the steamy 1968 Steve McQueen flick updated to the sleek and self-referential 90s, "Thomas Crown" features Brosnan as the title character - a bored billionaire businessman in the business of "acquisitions". For a thrill, he heists an extremely valuable Monet from the New York Museum right under the noses of security guards, cops, and about a thousand unsuspecting museum-goers. Renee Russo is the very sexy, very worldly Catherine Banning, whose insurance company underwrites the painting - and she is determined to get it back at any cost... But the cost just may be her soul as she woos, and then falls under the spell of the enigmatic Crown. Will Russo discover the location of the Monet? Will she rat out Thomas Crown? Or is Crown manipulating her affections like Bobby Fisher manipulates the pieces on a chess board?

What we have here is a high-speed chase film whose vehicle is clever dialog, rich and exotic direction, and more than a little sexual tension! Brosnan, as Crown, is ever the cool Brit charmer whose every word and action are as calculated as the movements of a Rolex. Russo smoulders every time she appears on screen. And when the two of them get together, the chemical reaction is pure dynamite.

Dennis Leary has a nice bit as a streetwise NYPD detective on the case, who dispenses advice to Russo's Banning, and watches her begin to spiral out of control. His role here most likely resulted in the deserved attempt at a television series on ABC ("The Job").

The action in the film moves exotically from caper to cover-up and back with dizzying speed... All the while, we are kept guessing about the motivations of the two lead, and find ourselves eagerly anticipating their next move. When the final checkmate comes, we are left totally bewildered, befuddled, and baffled... which is most-likely the director's intention!

On all levels, "The Thomas Crown Affair" will steal the hearts of men and women alike... but for different reasons - Men can enjoy the action and thrill of the chase, and Crown's ability to win over the most beautiful women and his attempt to get away with the ultimate heist... Ladies can marvel at the suave Brosnan and his life of extreme wealth, and all-the-while wonder if he will betray her, or if she will betray him...

I will not betray you... I ain't saying!

I don't think you should compare the two versions, they're so very different. . I think this is great heist movie The thing that makes this movie stand out is the look the rich colours in the way it's filmed and it just oozes excess. The leads have a great time working together. Everything for me just worked and made even better with the fantastic score that adds pace when needed

If you've seen the original version and don't see the point in watching a different version of the same story don't worry; apart from the protagonist's name and general themes there are more than enough differences to make this worth watching.

Thomas Crown is one of New York's ultra-rich; he owns his own company and partakes in expensive sports. He is also bored. To alleviate that boredom he stages a heist in a museum and walks away with a painting valued at one hundred million dollars. The police start investigating and are soon joined by Catherine Banning, an insurance investigator hoping to save her employers from having to pay out. She quickly suspects Crown and soon a flirtatious game of cat and mouse begins as she tries to prove her suspicions and he leads her on without giving her the evidence she needs.

Remakes are seldom quite as good as the original, making them somewhat redundant, but thanks to the differences I'd definitely recommend this. The way the robbery takes place and later behaviour makes this Thomas Crown a slightly less amoral character. The robbery itself is enjoyable thanks to the way it is undertaken; the lack of real threat to people in the museum makes it easier to enjoy without feeling guilty. Once Catherine Banning arrives her character is at least as important as Crown and her pursuit of him is a lot of fun. The cast does a fine job most obviously Pierce Brosnan who is suitably suave as Crown and Rene Russo who brings a mature sexiness to the role of Banning. Overall I still prefer the original but still recommend this fun mix of crime and romance.

I got to watch the 1968 Steve McQueen - Faye Dunaway - Paul Burke film when it showed in theaters in the 60's, then; at the dawn of the millenium, watched the 1999 Brosnan-Russo-Leary one and came out of the theater firmly believing that the original was much better in every sense. This week, thanks to the magic of streaming services I could watch both back to back. Contrary to popular wisdom there are remakes that are better than the originals and this is the proverbial sample button.

The plot is absolutely superior and direction does it justice; while the original, for its period might have been glamoruos and imaginative, it pakes pitifully on the comparison. The new script is much more agile, interesting and glamorous all around. Casting beats the old one hands down.

Acting: while McQueen and Dunaway might have been shining stars of their time, they feel stiff and cardboard nowadays. The personifications delivered by the 1999 cast are fluid and three-dimensional. Even with the age difference at the respective times of the films, Russo is way more stunning than Dunaway, who by the way does a credible analyst on the latter film. Burke did a poor performance compared to Leary's, who delivers a full and likable character.

In the glamour and high life section, there's simply no contest. Even the gliders are miles apart. The clothes of the characters are without comparison. Accessories, transports, dwellings... Brosnan exhudes money, McQueen... Hmm.

While the '68 file has a depressive ending the '99 version manages to squeeze-in a happy ending all around.

In sum, to really appreciate the '99 version, you need to watch the '68 one and transport yourself in time to the era. Then jump back ahead and compare.

A fun-filled flick by mingling a thrilling museum-heist caper with an outlandish love story . This is a good remake to the classic (1968) by Norman Jewison starred by Steve McQueen , Faye Dunaway , Paul Burke , Jack Weston ; this ¨The Thomas Crown Affair¨ (1999) by John McTiernan boasts a stunning cast , such as Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary , Ben Gazzara . Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan who produced too) is a handsome , self-made billionaire who delights in theft and as he just can't resist pulling off the perfect crime , a daring , engrossing daylight museum robbery . But the rich industrialist is mercilessly chased by a gorgeous and efficient insurance investigator (Rene Russo) and a cunning police inspector (Denis Leary) , both of them determined to nab him . Brosnan and Russo , together and the slickest gang that ever robbed a museum ! How do you get the man who has everything? When You Raise The Stakes , You Heighten The Attraction . Crime does pay. Handsomely. He was attractive , handsome, jet-setting millionaire - and he'd just pulled off the perfect crime!. She was charming , beautiful , a super sleuth - sent to investigate it ! How do you get the man who has everything? When You Raise The Stakes, You Heighten The Attraction. Crime does pay. Handsomely.

Amusing and entertaining yarn that combines the necessary ingredients for a fun-filled film , alongside a colorful cinematography by Tom Priestley Jr and atmospheric soundtrack by Bill Conti . Slick , lavish rendition with innovative techniques through the competent shooting , and being the best visual scenes the seduction match between the two and eventually falling in love . Made with strong production with the museum raid scenes tautly effective . The storyline is too slight and enjoyable , providing amusement and entertainment enough . This is an agreeable and fun reboot but everyone seems to be an overlong copy of the excellent original , being a bit too hard to make it looks effortless . Stars two great protagonists , Pierce Brosnan at his best as a stubborn thief who moonlights as an art robber and Rene Russo as an unscrupulous insurance investigator who happens to be tracking him ; both of whom expanding their characters enough for us to identify fully with them . The verbal sparring and emotional tricks between these two compelling stars are a complete diversion and real joy . Being well accompanied by a sympathetic support cast , such as : Denis Leary , Ben Gazzara, Frankie Faison, Fritz Weaver, Charles Keating , Mark Margolis and special appearance from Faye Dunaway as Brosnan's shrink .

The motion picture was competently directed by John McTiernan who delivers innovative techniques that really move the story along . McTiernan is a prestigious and veteran filmmaker , his greatest film was , of course , ¨Predator¨. John was offered the chance to direct Commando (1985), but turned it down , but then he worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger later on ¨Predator¨ (1987) and ¨The last Great Hero¨ (1993). He is a good filmmaker , though the present-day is retired, and known for directing high-energy, violent action adventures and powerful thrillers , such as : ¨Die hard¨, ¨Die hard with a vengeance¨ , ¨13 warrior¨, ¨The hunt for Red october¨, ¨The Last great hero¨,¨Rolllerball¨ , ¨Nomads¨ , among others . Rating : 7/10 . Worthwhile watching .