Verdict
Summary
A snap-crackling romantic thriller with an edgy cinematic style, The Thomas Crown Affair was a pretty solid vehicle for its two bright and attractive stars McQueen and Dunaway, who was just coming off her smash hit Bonnie and Clyde.
Plot:
A wealthy playboy moonlights as a major investor in bank robberies and high-stakes theft.
Review:
Several million dollars are stolen in a daring bank robbery executed by a crack team of mercenary thieves who answer to one man, the boss controlling everything from the shadows who has kept his identity a secret: Wealthy playboy Thomas Crown (Steve McQueen). A man who lives well and enjoys everything about his side gig as a master planner, Crown’s latest heist totally befuddles the insurance investigators and authorities. A cunning investigator with a flawless record is brought in: Vicki Anderson (Faye Dunaway), a young and intrepid beautiful woman who zeroes in on Crown as a possible suspect. She goes after one of his crew, the most vulnerable and most recent inductee, a guy with everything to lose, a family man named Erwin (Jack Weston), and by bending the rules and ignoring ethics, Anderson closes in. She manages to get Crown’s undivided attention, and they begin a dangerous courtship where he introduces her to his lavish and daring lifestyle, never for one second giving her an inch, but despite his shield she manages to get closer to his secret than anyone ever has. With another huge heist incoming, Anderson plans to capture Crown – no matter the fact that he’s captured her steely heart – but Crown might have a twist up his sleeve …
A snap-crackling romantic thriller with an edgy cinematic style, The Thomas Crown Affair was a pretty solid vehicle for its two bright and attractive stars McQueen and Dunaway, who was just coming off her smash hit Bonnie and Clyde. Director Norman Jewison gave the movie a really “cool,” innovative style where sometimes the style speaks louder than words, and it has a unique approach to the heist / thief genre with a multi-screen, lively motion that keeps the movie moving even when nothing is being said. The film’s fleet pace and romantic thriller aspects are ingrained within the plot, and the movie remains a memorable piece of a cinema.
Kino Lorber just reissued The Thomas Crown Affair on Blu-ray, and the high definition transfer is strong. All the bonus features – including two audio commentaries (one with Jewison, who just passed away), interviews, the trailer, and a feturette, are all ported over from Kino’s previous release. This edition comes with a slipcover.
