Written by Alan Trustman, Leslie Dixon, and Kurt Wimmer
Directed by John McTiernan

There are movies that can be enjoyed despite the fact that they are very predictable.  One of the reasons for this generally has to do with the casting.  The 1999 thriller, The Thomas Crown Affair is a perfect example of a movie that would have imploded under lesser talent.

Pierce Brosnan is Thomas Crown, a very wealthy man who appreciates fine art.  He doesn’t collect it, though, he steals it.  It’s a thrill he gets out of life where everything – and nearly everyone – is at his beck and call.

When a valuable piece of art disappears from a local museum, enter Rene Russo as insurance investigator Catherine Banning.  Also on the case is Dennis Leary as Detective Michael McCann.  This central cast is really what makes the film.

Catherine Banning is suspicious of Crown right from the start and sets out to prove he stole the art.  There’s great sex appeal on Russo’s part and this translates into excellent chemistry between her and Brosnan.  It’s a lot of fun watching the two of them interact wondering how the cat-and-mouse game is going to end up.  There are no great surprises here, but the story is a lot of fun to watch play out.  It’s very much like watching any number of shows that profile the rich and famous with a little intrigue thrown in.

Brosnan makes Crown into a likable fellow despite the posh lifestyle. I couldn’t see liking someone like Donald Trump with his arrogance, but Brosnan plays Crown with such charm and has his self-confidence teetering on the edge of arrogance without going over.  Russo is completely his equal in the role of Banning without being a wide-eyed infatuated school-girl. She’s having fun and we can feel her feelings changing throughout the movie.  At the same time, I found myself rooting for their relationship to work out somehow despite all that is going to come between them when what he’s done becomes undeniable.  Leary provides the voice of reason while all this is going on with his usual wry looks that will be familiar to anyone who’s seen his work.

The main extra on the DVD is the commentary by Director John McTiernan.  I would have liked to have heard from Russo and Brosnan as well, but this commentary is interesting on its own.  Other than that are movie trailers; really not much in the way of extras.

If you’re looking for a fun, sexy film, The Thomas Crown Affair is a good pick.  It’s not the best movie ever made but the acting talent holds it together with a story that’s not terribly challenging.


SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Audio Commentary with Director John McTiernan
• 1999 Film’s Theatrical Trailer
• 1968 Film’s Theatrical Trailer