The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

Directed by John McTiernan. Starring Rene Russo, Pierce Brosnan, Denis Leary, Frankie Faison, Fritz Weaver, Faye Dunaway, Ben Gazzara, Mark Margolis. [R]

Slick, designer-chic remake of the 1968 caper film with Brosnan in the Steve McQueen role, though not a bank robber this time; instead, he’s a billionaire industrialist who also steals exorbitantly valuable artwork just for kicks. Russo takes over for Faye Dunaway as an insurance investigator who instigates a cat-and-mouse game with him, but, as the cliché goes, who’s chasing who? Naturally, their mutual attraction makes things complicated. The chemistry was more palpable in the original, but on most other accounts, the redo is actually a step-up, particularly in the clever ways that the twists and heists unfold. Entirely expendable entertainment, but it’ll do. Russo looks great in various stages of undress, but even she can’t make sex on a staircase look like fun. Makes good use of Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman”; also features a cover by Sting of the original film’s Oscar-winning song “Windmills of Your Mind.” Dunaway appears in a few unnecessary scenes as Brosnan’s psychiatrist.

69/100