December 08, 2003
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
[4 - Good]
I know that a lot of people did not approve of the choice of Pierce Brosnan as agent 007 in the last few James Bond movies, but I have honestly never understood why. I don't just think Brosnan is a fine actor, but more poignantly that he has a finesse and sophistication that perfectly showcased by his portrayal of bored playboy-millionaire turned recreational art thief in The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) The movie is so much fun and so smoothly executed that I am also left wondering why it did not receive a warmer reception when it was released and why it does not show in current best-of-breed lists.
When you think about it, the plot and story development of The Thomas Crown Affair is a very tricky one to execute. The movie is more than a simple action or caper film, straddling the line between a fine mystery and a sophisticated member of the grifter genre. Every element of the story, both the forefront element and 'what is really going on' are present from the very beginning, and if you are paying close attention you can catch the plot twists before they are given away. If this were any other movie Mr. Crown forgetting his briefcase in the car on the way to work would be an inconsequential detail, but this film is too well made to have loose ends or details left to chance. Don't get me wrong, I do not mean to imply that this is a perfect movie by far, but if you pay attention through the film you will start to notice what seem like little details but are really beautiful cues left throughout to entertain and engage the audience.
If I call out Brosnan for his great performance then I must also give credit to writers Leslie Dixon and Kurt Wimmer, cinematographer Tom Priestley Jr., editor John Wright and of course John McTiernan (Die Hard (1988), 13th Warrior, The (1999)) for the great mood and pacing of the movie. There are two scenes that stand out in my mind as examples of great timing: in one Crown and Catherine (the love interest who is investigating the missing art) go gliding putting the movie into a rather exiting yet relaxing pace that is a good compliment to the surrounding action. The best scene though, and one that is worth repeating is near the end as Crown arranges a well-choreographed visual cacophony meant to distract the security guarding the art museum. The fast-cut sequence is very well set to the accompanying music making what might have otherwise been a poor ending quite enjoyable.
I wonder how other people reacted to the role of Detective McCann played by Denis Leary. I know people can find him a bit annoying and his character is at times hard to like in this movie. I however thought he got just the right mix of hard-nosed dickhead cop while showing some vulnerability to be believable and not flat. Rene Russo as Catherine, on the other hand, did nothing but annoy me. I had this annoying feeling throughout that there are surely better choices to have been cast in her part. She showed the smarts but none of the sex appeal or charisma to play opposite Brosnan.
I like this movie a lot, too. Very clever and suave. I think Brosnan actually fits this part better than that of 007. II liked it when it came out and it surprised me, and I liked it a second time when I was just able to sit back and admire it.
My problem with Brosnon as 007 is that he's too prissy and proper a Bond. He's got all the same problems as Moore had. Connery was a manly, hairy-chested Bond and the movies with him were much less about the excess of technology. I think the two, the type of Bond and the type of movie, go hand in hand.
Posted by: Nick on December 9, 2003 11:10 PM
