Synopsis for
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

Pierce Brosnan did a great job directing this movie. There is subtlety in many scenes which help enrich the story. These can be easily missed if you don't pay attention. The score is well chosen and fits each situation like a glove and adds to the enjoyment of the movie. The acting is very good and I think its one of Brosnan's better portrayals. René Russo is quite lovely and does a very nice job of portraying Katherine Banning, the art thief recovery detective. She had a lot of guts doing the nude scenes at her age, she does look great. There is a fair amount of explicit and implicit sex but it is done in a tasteful manner.

Crown is a bored very successful investor who has made up his mind to chuck it all and pull off an impossible heist of a one of a kind painting. He has everyone completely outwitted until Banning comes along and figures out he is the dude who did the deed. The ensuing game of cat and mouse is really delightful. Crown, at the risk of being caught, engages in the game precisely because it increases his odds of getting caught. Along the way they fall in love, but is it love on her part or is she just playing him to retrieve the stolen painting? Thomas uses and interesting technique to find out the truth.

Denis Leary plays the detective assigned to the case and does an awesome job. Very droll. As one of many interesting tie ins Faye Dunaway plays Crown's shrink. She was the star in the original Thomas Crown affair. I prefer this movie, it is much more upbeat.

So pay attention and enjoy this treat. If you see it on DVD with none of the nude scenes and mild swearing removed make sure the kiddies are asleep.