The Thomas Crown 'O Contraire'

This weeks queue, "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999), arrived on Wednesday but had to be put off until (yesterday) because of work. So her we go!

"The Thomas Crown Affair", directed by John McTiernan is a late 90s re-make of the original 1968 version staring Steve McQueen.

Thomas Crown, played by Pierce Brosnan, is a wealthy company owner who has expensive tastes, hobbies and collectibles. He finds joy in expensive things and as he says, "everything is obtainable."

Crown enjoys playing games of wit in hopes of obtaining things he desires. He could buy them, but what is the fun in that? A little game of cat an mouse keeps him on his toes and keeps office lounging, paper signing, boring work life interesting. He is single and alone, a position he feels could be filled, but only by someone who challenges him mentally and would enjoy playing in his games of deceit.

He meets his match in Catherine Banning, played by Rene Russo, an insurance re-claimer/bounty hunter, sent to investigate the theft of a Monet painting. She figures out quickly that Crown is the witty burglar and spends her time trying to beat him at his own game. She works her magic and uses interestingly sexual tactics to obtain enough information to put Crown behind bars.

Michael McCann, played by Denis Leary, is a New York detective who is assigned to the robbery case. He plays the smart cop who figures out everything except for what the suspect will do next. It was nice to see him in something other than a stand-up bit or "Rescue Me." He plays a good, honest cop trying to solve the case.

The game that Brosnan and Russo play, tests both their characters limits of trust and commitment ... to their personal interests. Each one is led on a wild chase through each others' traps, mostly Banning through Crowns.

Without giving too much away, the curve balls the story throws at you will keep you wondering what is next. And is a good movie to watch if you are looking for a late 90s romantic comedy. I would not suggest watching this with kids around because it is rated R for sexual content and adult language.

To give my verdict, I must remove my Pierce Brosnan James-Bond-fan bias. One moment please ...

Verdict: (4 of 5 stars)