The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

John McTiernan

Writers (WGA):

Alan Trustman (story)
Leslie Dixon (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

6 August 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

How do you get the man who has everything?

Plot:

A very rich and successful playboy amuses himself by stealing artwork, but may have met his match in a seductive detective.

Plot Keywords:

Trust | Painting | Art | Thief | Museum

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 19

8:00 PM

CW

Cast

Pierce Brosnan	...	Thomas Crown
Rene Russo	...	Catherine Banning
Denis Leary	...	Michael McCann
Ben Gazzara	...	Andrew Wallace
Frankie Faison	...	Detective Paretti
Fritz Weaver	...	John Reynolds
Charles Keating	...	Friedrich Golchan
Mark Margolis	...	Heinrich Knutzhorn
Faye Dunaway	...	The Psychiatrist
Michael Lombard	...	Bobby McKinley
Bill Ambrozy	...	Proctor
Michael Bahr	...	Proctor (as Michael S. Bahr)
Robert D. Novak	...	Proctor (as Robert Novak)
Joe H. Lamb	...	Proctor (as Joe Lamb)
James Saito	...	Paul Cheng
Esther Cañadas	...	Anna Knudsen
Mischa Hausserman	...	Jimmy
Daniel Oreskes	...	Petru
Dominic Chianese Jr.	...	Dimetri
Ritchie Coster	...	Janos
Gregg Bello	...	Iggy
John P. McCann	...	Senior Detective
Gino Lucci	...	Freight Truck Driver
George Christy	...	Senior Museum Guard
Mike Danner	...	Forklift Operator
James J. Archer	...	J.J. the Security Guard
John Elsen	...	New York City Cop
Robert Spillane	...	Crown Acquisitions Security Officer
Daniel Jamal Gibson	...	Sam
Cynthia Darlow	...	Daria, Crown's Secretary
Sherry Koftan	...	Crown Acquistions Employee
Jane DeNoble	...	Crown Acquisitions Employee
Gene Bozzi	...	Crown Acquisitions Employee
Ryan Hecht	...	Crown Acquisitions Employee
Paul Simon	...	Crown Acquisitions Employee
Tom Tammi	...	Businessman
Mark Zeisler	...	Bulldog
Mark Zimmerman	...	Bulldog
Daniel Southern	...	Crown Acquisitions Executive (as Dan Southern)
James Yaegashi	...	Crown Acquisitions Executive
Ira Wheeler	...	Old Man
David Adkins	...	Son
John McKay	...	Company Lawyer (as John A. MacKay)
Melissa Maxwell	...	Teacher
Colleen Hamm	...	Schoolgirl
Timothy Wheeler	...	Museum Security Technician
John Thrall Bush	...	Museum Security Guard
Dominic Marcus	...	Museum Security Guard
Robert Lewis Stephenson	...	Museum Security Guard (as Robert Stephenson)
David Toney	...	Museum Security Guard
Phillip Douglas	...	Museum Security Guard
Jeffrey Dreisbach	...	Junior Proctor
R.J. Remo	...	Smoking Kid
Caleb Archer	...	Smoking Kid
Dennis Creaghan	...	Museum Director Jim Lenox
Randy Phillips	...	National Art Club Guest
Gloria Barnes	...	National Art Club Guest
Mimi Weddell	...	National Art Club Guest
Pat Friedlander	...	National Art Club Guest
Gary L. Catus	...	National Art Club Guest
Jeremy Nagel	...	Tommy, Crown's Caddy
John C. Havens	...	Museum Operating Technician
Annie Rose Murray	...	Woman Spectator
Bill Tatum	...	Gentleman Yachtsman
Teddy Coluca	...	Detective in Restaurant
Michael Charles	...	Detective in Restaurant
Orlando Carafa	...	Cipriani Waiter
Ben Epps	...	Male Associate
Kim D. Cannon	...	Cleaning Man
Douglas Kahelemauna Nam	...	Cleaning Man
Richard Russell Ramos	...	Dr. Cornelius
John Seidman	...	Forensics Expert George French
Robert Ian Mackenzie	...	Jeweler
Yusef Bulos	...	Second Jeweler
Ray Virta	...	Museum Detective
Thomas Michael Sullivan	...	Museum Special Police
J. Paul Boehmer	...	Museum Detective
Tony Cucci	...	Watching Cop
Paul Geoffrey	...	Another Cop
R.E. Rodgers	...	Uniform Cop
Thomas Richard Bloom	...	Crown Imposter
Kim Craven	...	Ticket Agent
Marion McCorry	...	Stewardess
Sean Haberle	...	Ramp Manager
Mikel Sarah Lambert	...	Wealthy Woman
Angelo Fraboni	...	Featured Dancer
Melanie LaPatin	...	Featured Dancer
Jodi Ellen Melnick	...	Featured Dancer (as Jodi Melnick)
Tony Meredith	...	Featured Dancer
Michael Terrace	...	Featured Dancer
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Courtney Bennett	...	Bit Part (uncredited)
Diana Berry	...	Museum Patron (uncredited)
Steve Bilich	...	Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Kimberly Evan	...	Model (uncredited)
Simon Jones	...	The Accountant (uncredited)
Mark A. Langston	...	Thief (uncredited)
Victoria Rong	...	Model #2 (uncredited)
Eliot Sash	...	Dancer (Black & White Ball) (uncredited)

Directed by
John McTiernan

Writing credits (WGA)
Alan Trustman		(story) (as Alan R. Trustman)
Leslie Dixon		(screenplay) &
Kurt Wimmer		(screenplay)

Produced by
Pierce Brosnan	....	producer
Bruce Moriarty	....	associate producer
Roger Paradiso	....	co-producer
Beau St. Clair	....	producer
Michael Tadross	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Bill Conti

Cinematography by
Tom Priestley Jr.		(director of photography) (as Tom Priestley)

Film Editing by
John Wright

Production Design by
Bruno Rubeo

Art Direction by
Dennis Bradford

Set Decoration by
Leslie E. Rollins

Costume Design by
Kate Harrington

Makeup Department
Enzo Angileri	....	hair stylist: Ms. Russo
Lynn Campbell	....	makeup artist
Romaine Greene	....	hair stylist
Michele Paris	....	makeup artist (as Michele Paris-Catanzarite)
Bron Roylance	....	makeup artist: Mr. Brosnan
Scott Hersh	....	assistant makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Eddy Collyns	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mischa Hausserman	....	second unit director: additional aerial photography
Neil Lewis	....	additional second assistant director
Jamie Miller	....	key second assistant director: second unit
Bruce Moriarty	....	first assistant director
Michael Pitt	....	second second assistant director
Peter Soldo	....	second assistant director
John E. Sullivan	....	second unit director
Jonathan Watson	....	first assistant director: second unit

Art Department
David Alan Bean	....	tool man
Teresa Carriker-Thayer	....	art director: second unit
Frances Catalano	....	shop grip
Daniel Dietrich	....	shop craftsman
Jay Durrwachter	....	assistant art director
Ray Fisher	....	set dresser
Joseph Garzero	....	lead scenic artist
Randal R. Groves	....	propmaker
Julia G. Hickman	....	art department coordinator
Paul D. Kelly	....	assistant art director
Steven E. Lawler	....	construction foreman
Christine Moosher	....	assistant set decorator
Ken Nelson	....	construction coordinator
Michael Saccio	....	property master
Cheryl Stewart	....	painter
Joan Winters	....	graphic designer
Federico Castelluccio	....	artist (uncredited)
Daniel Geary	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Steve A. Stephenson	....	carpenter (uncredited)

Sound Department
David A. Arnold	....	dialogue editor
James Ashwill	....	foley mixer
Marc Deschaine	....	adr assistant
Teri E. Dorman	....	supervising dialogue editor
Juno J. Ellis	....	supervising adr editor
Sean England	....	sound re-recordist
Linda Lew	....	foley recordist
Melissa Lytle	....	assistant sound editor
Michael Minkler	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tom Nelson	....	production sound mixer
R.J. Palmer	....	sound effects editor
Karen Spangenberg	....	dialogue editor
Daniel W. Victor Jr.	....	stereo sound consultant: DTS
George Watters II	....	supervising sound editor
James Wright	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Carl D. Ware	....	additional adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Harold McConnell Jr.	....	special effects technician
Allen Stillman	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Jamie Clay	....	digital compositor
Tyler Foell	....	digital artist
Jim Gorman	....	digital compositor
Reid Paul	....	digital artist
Ray Scalice	....	executive producer: Pixel Magic
John E. Sullivan	....	visual effects (as John Sullivan)
Juan Carlos Vargas	....	visual effects (as Juan Vargas)
Ken Lam	....	digital artist (uncredited)

Stunts
Chris Cenatiempo	....	stunts
John Cenatiempo	....	stunt player (as Johnny 'C')
John Copeman	....	stunt player
Frank Ferrara	....	stunt coordinator
Frank Ferrara Jr.	....	stunt player
Ralph Ferrara	....	stunt player
Tomás F. Gonzalez	....	boat stunts
Doris F. Grove	....	boat stunts
Tony Guida	....	stunt player
Andrew Phillips	....	boat stunts
Keith Siglinger	....	stunt player
Steve Bilich	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Peter Bucossi	....	stunts (uncredited)
John Copeman	....	stunt double: Pierce Brosnan (uncredited)
Jonathon Prandi	....	stunt double: Pierce Brosnan (uncredited)
Adam Vignola	....	stunts (uncredited)
Cheryl Wheeler-Dixon	....	stunt double: Rene Russo (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Matt Chubet	....	grip
Steve Comesky	....	electrician
Jon Delgado	....	electrician
Alan R. Disler	....	first assistant camera
Gene Engels	....	gaffer
Stanley Fernandez Jr.	....	second assistant camera
James W. Finnerty	....	key grip
Paul Gavin	....	epk camera operator
Ron Goodman	....	camera operator: SpaceCam
Charlie Grubbs	....	electrician
William Hines	....	best boy electric
William Jones	....	dolly grip
Zsolt Kadar	....	key second assistant camera
Tom Kerwick	....	key grip: second unit
David Larue	....	grip
John Milcetic	....	electrician
Phil Oetiker	....	camera operator
Robert Paone	....	assistant camera
Ronald Plant	....	key rigging grip (as Ronnie Plant)
Kyle Rudolph	....	Steadicam operator
Lowell Schulman	....	gaffer: second unit
Patrick Shelby	....	rigging grip: set
John Sosenko	....	camera operator: second unit
Igor Srubshchik	....	24 frame video operator
Brian Stocklin	....	electrician
John E. Sullivan	....	director of photography: second unit
Joel Tishcoff	....	rigging best boy
Phillip Todd	....	assistant camera: "b" camera
Phillip Todd	....	assistant camera: second unit
William M. Weberg	....	best boy grip
Barry Wetcher	....	still photographer
Darren Ryan	....	video assist operator: second unit (uncredited)

Casting Department
Barbara Harris	....	voice casting
John Mabry	....	casting assistant
Pat McCorkle	....	casting
Sarah Spearing	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Susan Carrano	....	assistant costume designer
Marta Font	....	key costumer
Chris Ann Pappas	....	costume assistant
Hartsell Taylor	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Melissa Carter	....	assistant editor (as Melissa J.T. Carter)
Barbara Dunning	....	first assistant editor
Eric M. Eskenazi	....	editing production assistant
Mark Livolsi	....	assistant editor
Kyle Ann Stokes	....	assistant editor
Todd Zongker	....	assistant editor: avid

Music Department
Bob Bornstein	....	music preparation
Jim Dunbar	....	original music producer
Jack Eskew	....	orchestrator
Ashley Irwin	....	music producer: electronic score
Nathan Kaproff	....	orchestra manager
Jamie Lowry	....	assistant music editor: temp mix
Chris McGeary	....	music editor
Randall Poster	....	music consultant
Dan Wallin	....	score mixer
Tommy Lockett	....	music editor (uncredited)
Jamshied Sharifi	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Mark Dolce	....	driver

Other crew
John Ian Briody	....	production assistant
Michael 'Bones' Buono	....	assistant to producer
Paul Cabbad	....	production assistant
John Carrafa	....	choreographer
Al Cerullo	....	pilot
Mike Charles	....	technical consultant
Marisa Clayton	....	dailies assistant: Magno Sound & Video
Aria Noelle Curzon	....	adr artist
Audra Esposito	....	production secretary
Cliff Fleming	....	pilot
Jim Galvin	....	board operator
Rob Harris	....	unit publicist
Mischa Hausserman	....	director: additional aerial photography
Lance Julian	....	marine coordinator
Mohamed Khan	....	production assistant
Thomas Knauff	....	pilot
Deanna Leslie	....	set production assistant
Adam Levine	....	stage manager
Neil Lewis	....	set production assistant
Jeff Lomaglio	....	shop craftsmen
Ralph Lucci	....	picture boats
M.J. Magbanua	....	assistant production coordinator
Les McDonough	....	set production assistant
J.C. Merrill	....	marine supervisor
Douglas Kahelemauna Nam	....	assistant: Mr. McTiernan
Eva Norvind	....	technical consultant
Jesse Nye	....	production assistant
Andrea O'Connor	....	production assistant
Cynthia A. Palormo	....	production associate
Peggy Robinson	....	production assistant
Cornelia 'Nini' Rogan	....	script supervisor
Jonathan Roumie	....	location scout
Amanda Scarano	....	assistant: Beau St. Clair
Roy Seaman	....	catamaran coordinator
Tom Sellitti	....	assistant: Mr. Leary
James Stankard	....	consultant: Mr. McTiernan
Marce Sterner	....	location assistant
Allen Stillman	....	effects technician
Tristan Thomas	....	body double: Pierce Brosnan
Katherine Torres	....	production secretary
Adam Vignola	....	heavy eqipment operator
Rosanne Vogel	....	production accountant
Brett Weiner	....	production assistant
Heinz G. Weissenbuehler	....	pilot
Tomoko Yamamoto	....	assistant accountant
Garson Yu	....	title designer
Mikayla Abromowitz	....	script supervisor (uncredited)
Jay Geller	....	metal work and welding (uncredited)
Nick Louvel	....	additional production assistant (uncredited)
Nick Louvel	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Brian D. Palormo	....	researcher (uncredited)
Jeff Partin	....	marine safety (uncredited)
Bill Richards	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)
Nick Spetsiotis	....	assistant marine coordinator (uncredited)

Production Companies

• United Artists
• Irish DreamTime
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (presents) (as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1999) (worldwide) (all media)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation (MGM) (1999) (USA) (theatrical)
• Filmes Lusomundo (1999) (Portugal) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1999) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1999) (Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1999) (Spain) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1999) (France) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1999) (Greece) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1999) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (1999) (Far East) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (VHS)
• Argentina Video Home (200?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (France) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (Italy) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (2005) (USA) (TV) (first national airing)
• SBS6 (2002) (Netherlands) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD)

Special Effects

• OCS/Freeze Frame/Pixel Magic

Other Companies

• American Humane Association, The  animal action monitoring (as American Humane Association)
• Chico O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Orchestra  band
• Forum Gallery  the painting Certain Uncertainties © 1996 by Christian Vincent used by permission of
• Forum Gallery  the painting Imaginary Wall in my Studio © 1947 by Raphael Soyer used by permission of
• Forum Gallery  the painting Kathleen (Putting out a Cigarette) © 1946 by Raphael Soyer used by permission of
• Forum Gallery  the painting Self-Portrait with Brush and Paint Rag © 1996 by Volker Stelzmann used by permission of
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)  author and creator of this motion picture for the purpose of copyright and other laws in all countries throughout the world
• Movie Movers  hair and make-up trailers
• Movie Movers  production trailers
• Movie Movers  star trailers
• Movie Movers  transportation
• Pangaea Records  soundtrack published by
• Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick & Associates Casting  extras casting
• yU+Co.  main title design

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

Polish | English | German | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Netherlands:MG6 | Iceland:L | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Denmark:7 | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | South Africa:PG | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Brazil:16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:15 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:18 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG (original rating) (cut) | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

18 East 68th Street, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

United Artists

Trivia:

Crown's watch is a Jaeger-Lecoultre Reverso, but the logo doesn't appear because Pierce Brosnan has an exclusive deal with Omega watches.

Goofs:

Continuity: Catherine's health drink during breakfast appears on the table only 3/4 full. When she drinks it, the drink is almost to the top of the glass.

Quotes:

Catherine Banning: Am I really that transparent?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Tracey Fragments (2007)

Soundtrack:

CUMENCO

Original reworked right.

Obligatory comparison to the first film: The first Thomas Crown Affair really wasn't that great with its split screens that would make even Brian De Palma sick. Like other films from that era of history, it's lost some of its shock with time but unlike true classics, Thomas Crown Affair has lost a lot of its charm. Worth a viewing, but not worth worshipping.

Only vague concepts carry over from film to film, really. The same basic plot curve, same basic events, same basic characters, except everything is retold and reinterpreted from a different point of view. And I much prefer John McTiernan's interpretation despite the more glaring plot holes such as 'Why didn't the security tape reveal who set the briefcase in the gallery to begin with?' Theoretically the culprit could've been caught then and there, but then there'd be no movie.

The caper's execution is rather spectacular, far more entertaining than the original's, though much less likely to happen. But who cares, really? McTiernan directed this as a film you can't take 100% seriously anyway. This is a fun cat and mouse movie, not a documentary.

The premise-an art theft-strikes me as more interesting than the original's robbery; besides, how many films have bank robberies? How many films steal art? It's something different.

The characters and their portrayals are colorful and interesting, walking a thin line of camp but never pushing it too far. This movie isn't about 'Everyman' nor is it meant to. It's about a billionaire who gets his kicks out of high stake gambles and wages-how do you do that without a larger than life portrayal?

I particularly liked the ending sequence, as goofy, perhaps corny as it is, it's still fun. Especially the music selection, Nina Simone's Sinnerman, a well chosen track. Bill Conti provides the underlying score, which proves quite unique having a slightly bouncy 'piano recital' quality to its first few themes. Very fitting for the museum setting. It's a CD worth purchasing for the sake of variety alone.

In the end, Thomas Crown Affair works not because of the film's subjects or its characters . . . it works because of -how- it portrays everything. Its tone is fun and relaxing, and it never tries to take itself too seriously. After all, we are at the movies and not a training seminar . ..