Any other Thomas Crown Affair fans?

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I remember the original with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. I also enjoyed the Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo remake. Recently I watched the remake, after not having seen it since it was released about 15 years ago. Reviewing it now I find I absolutely love it. The movie provides a wonderful strong female lead, who exudes brains, power,maturity, and sex, not in any particular order. Rene Russo nailed that part perfectly.

I think that most Hollywood movies who try to play that combination make the strong into somewhat of a caricature of man as regards power. This part hinges on the female being feminine strong, and using that strength to take over that strength to control the situation, even to the end where she decides duty is more important than her heart. (And how often in a Hollywood movie do you see a female role make that decision)

The clip below, of when they meet for the first time but after she has decided he is the prime suspect, really sets the tone, as she completely catches him off guard, drops the bombshell, and the walks away with him not knowing what to say or do.

 

[Pardytime]

The remake with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo is one of my favourite movies, and one of the 5 DVDs that I travel with when we stay in timeshares, just in case we have some downtime in the evenings.

 

[Sandy VDH]

In this case I actually prefer the remake. I know, I know. But I found the chemistry between Brosnan and Russo as so much more believable then the original.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Love the remake - it’s from my era so to speak. Great movie with two great leads!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

In this case I actually prefer the remake. I know, I know. But I found the chemistry between Brosnan and Russo as so much more believable then the original.

Definitely the remake over the original. It starts with a better storyline. A prank art heist fits the bored tycoon premise much batter than a bank robbery. And both Brosnan and Russo were much better in their roles. McQueen was ok in the original, but most McQueen movies involved a lot of McQueen standing around acting cool.

Brosnan, aided by a better storyline, fleshed out the role much better. Of course, it was his project, and he had a lot of time to think about the movie he wanted to make. But then the inspired casting of Rene Russo! She just walked away with the movie. One reviewer said Russo showed that she shouldn't be getting the parts that Sarandon turns down; Sarandan should be getting the parts that Russo turns down.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

The remake with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo is one of my favourite movies, and one of the 5 DVDs that I travel with when we stay in timeshares, just in case we have some downtime in the evenings.

We leave tonight. It's in my case. In fact, putting it in the case was what prompted me start this thread.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

A couple of interviews they did after the release. The camaraderie and friendship that developed between them is apparent.

In the first interview, at about 9:45, Brosnan talks about filling the hollow area inside Thomas Crown, embellishing that element from the original. What isn't said is that their characters are mirror images of each other - Catherine Banning has the same hollow area in her life. I appreciate that they didn't bring that up, because there's always the trope that a woman isn't fulfilled unless she has a man. So kudos, to me, for steering clear of that trap.

I also love the audience reactions to a 45-year old actress providing such a smoldering performance.

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

I love the original's soundtrack. . .