I watched The Thomas Crown Affair last night (the 1999 version with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo), recorded off TNT on TiVo. Really, it was disappointing. More below, but there are spoilers.
The basic plot goes something like this: Thomas Crown is a wealthy guy and he steals a painting from his own museum for his own amusement. Then, Catherine Banning, an insurance investigator, tries to prove that he stole it. An abbreviated version:
Catherine: I know you stole that painting.
Thomas: No, I didn’t. Really.
Catherine: Come on, you stole it.
Thomas: Ok, maybe I did. But you’ll never catch me. Hey, how about a date?
Catherine: Sure, I’ll go on a date. But, I'm still investigating you.
[…]
Thomas: You know, I did steal that painting.
Catherine: Just put it back, and we can be in love, eh?
[puts painting back]
Thomas: I love you.
Catherine: I love you too.
Bleh. I was confused about a few things in the film as well. For one thing, why did Catherine have such strong feelings for Thomas all the while antagonizing him and even breaking into his house? And, what's with the ending — why would Thomas surprise Catherine by meeting her on the plane instead of at the heliport as planned?
In some ways, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised at the quality, since John McTiernan (of Rollerball and Die Hard With a Vengeance fame) directed it. Then again, he has had a few gems (such as The Hunt for Red October), but it could be that McTiernan is just more of an action-movie director (of which The Thomas Crown Affair is not).
The Thomas Crown Affair was a great movie – Rene Russo has the most amazing wardrobe in it. You are just entirely too logical for it. ;) It’s all about conflicting emotions and romance.
Ohh, “emotions and romance”, eh? That might explain it, as those aren’t always my forte.