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The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
Rate:
3
Viewed:
6/08, 1/24
6/08:
Directed by Norman Jewison, The Thomas Crown Affair is an "eh."
Because of the fantastic pair in Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, I had high hopes. The terrible editing that's
punctuated by the lame 60's style is what killed everything. At the end, it feels like I saw a series of shots with lots of
emphasis on wardrobe, hair, and expensive toys.
Throughout, I was hoping the original would be better than the remake with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, but surprisingly, it
never was. Yes, it's a pretty picture with a marginally better plot. But must everything be so dull?
All in all, Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway have done great films, but The Thomas Crown Affair isn't one of them.
1/24:
Steve McQueen may have been the King of Cool, but he sure starred in plenty of stinkers such as The Thomas Crown Affair.
Despite upgrading my rating from '2' to '3', the movie was clearly made for five-year-old kids and like-minded adults.
It's all about cigars, expensive toys, and Aryan looks. Unbelievably, Vicki Anderson surmises what might have happened in
a mere minute and therefore pinpoints the mastermind. While Vicki is at it, maybe she can figure out the identities
of Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac Killer.
Steve McQueen never had to try hard to be cool, but this time, he's reaching. When it happens, he looks silly. It's
not Faye Dunaway's finest hour, either, as she's more interested in her ever-changing wardrobe and hairstyle. They
have no chemistry, and yes, forget about the stupid chess match. Making matters worse is the laughably dated split-screen
technique.
All in all, The Thomas Crown Affair has many problems and ends quickly before you know it.