THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR

US, 1999, 114 minutes, Colour.
Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Ben Gazzara, Faye Dunaway.
Directed by John Mc Tiernan.

The Thomas Crown Affair was one of the archetypal films of the latter part of the 1960s. It was glamorous and chic, fashion conscious, with a visual style that suggested what was to become post-modernist. It starred two icons of the period, Steve Mc Queen who had established himself as an action star during the 1960s and Faye Dunaway who had just appeared as Bonnie in Bonnie and Clyde. It was directed by Norman Jewison who was also emerging as a top director. In the year before, his In the Heat of the Night won the Oscar for best film. Jewison was to have a long and varied career with such films as Fiddler on the Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar, Agnes of God, The Hurricane.

This remake also used one of the icons of the 1990s, Pierce Brosnan, who had emerged as a very suave James Bond in Golden Eye. Renee Russo was a very strong character actress at this period.

The film was directed by John Mc Tiernan who had made Nomads and Predator before he came to prominence with the original Die Hard. His other films include The Hunt for Red October, The Last Action Hero, Medicine Man and Basic.

The plot is updated. This time Thomas Crown, a multimillionaire, has everything he wants. He is also irresistible to women. He steals art masterpieces. The detective who is sent to investigate the robbery of a Monet is suspicious of him. She has to get the picture back. She becomes involved with Thomas Crown.

The film is sophisticated in style, glamorous in its surfaces. Of interest, Faye Dunaway as a cameo role as a memoir of the original film, Michel Legrand’s theme, “The Windmills of Your Mind”, is played throughout the remake.

1.A '90s version of a '60s story and film? The transition to the '90s for plot, issues, style, musical score?

2.The title and its focus on Thomas Crown, his activities, relationships?

3.The New York settings, the galleries, the streets, affluent homes, police stations? The transition to Martinique? The musical score, the jazz of the '90s? 'The Windmills of Your Mind'?

4.The psychiatrist and her interviews with Thomas Crown? His talking about his inadequacies, intimacy, relationships? Her critique - and making fun of him?

5.Pierce Brosnan and his style as Thomas Crown? Sitting in the gallery, the comments on the Monet and the other paintings, his friendship with the guard? Seeing him with his deals, at the elevator, owning the building? Winning out over competitors? The assistance of his lawyer? Reliance on his chauffeur? Paul at home? His home, affluence? His being an enigma?

6.The elaborate details of the robbery, the Etruscan horse, the skills in getting into the museum? The failed attempt? Thomas Crown and his taking the painting, the briefcase, the three legs on the bench? Taxi, hiding his painting at home? His later giving testimony against the suspects?

7.Michael, his police style, background? His antagonism towards Katherine? His skills as an investigator, following the rules, phone tapping, interrogations? His changing attitudes towards Katherine? Collaboration with the other police? The photos of Katherine? Discussions with her - and his final comment on crimes and wealthy robberies? Not giving a damn?

8.Katherine and her insurance background, from the Midwest, international reputation? Observing, shooting down Michael's theories? Speculating about Thomas Crown, her personality, strength, intuitions, enjoying the chase? Her personal style, manner, wardrobe? Her confronting Crown, meals, dances, the chill in the museum and taking his coat, the keys, giving them to the police? The sexual fascination? The allure of power? The changing relationship? Her openness with him? Wanting to catch him? His manipulating her? The sexual encounter, going to Martinique, the time away? The photos of her? Michael's questions? The further investigation about the forgeries, her shrewdness in working out the connection between Crown and the forgers - but not of who the forger was? Her jealousy of the girl? The final confrontation, his promise to put the painting back, the plans to be together? Her finding him with the girl and her anger? Betraying him to the police? The irony of his setting her up? The men in the bowler hats and the painting? Confusing the police, the irony of the painting over the Monet and the sprinklers washing it? His taking the other painting for her?

9.The character of Thomas Crown, his wealth, enjoying the game, the chase, adversaries? Avoiding intimacy? The background of his relationship with the artists and the forgers? His setting up Katherine? The restoring of the painting, the stealing of the new one? His being on the plane and their future together?

10.The portrait of the police, investigations? Crown and his hiring of the Romanian criminals? Leaving them to their fate? His casual attitude? Style?

11.The background of his household, the personal staff, their support?

12.The galleries, paintings, the visitors? The emphasis on the financial value of paintings rather than the art?

13.A glamorous and glossy caper film, character study, playing of games, relationships?