The Thomas Crown Affair
Common Sense says
- R
- 1999
- 113 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Thomas Crown Affair is the 1999 remake of the 1968 Steve McQueen film in which a suave and wily art thief eludes the authorities. There's an extended lovemaking scene with topless female nudity. The lead character sunbathes topless in another scene. Occasional profanity is heard, including "f--k." One of the lead characters talks of how, as a way to get over getting dumped by his girlfriend, he "f--ked five girls in three days." There's some drinking, including a scene in which one of the lead characters comes into work clearly hungover.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Classic late 1990s Thriller meets RomCom
A Stylish And Mysterious drama
Quite a boring heist movie
What's the story?
In this remake, self-made tycoon/amateur thief Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) steals a Monet masterpiece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, just for the thrill of it all. The cops hit a dead end, so they call in investigator Catherine Banning (Rene Russo). Banning eventually hones in on Crown and wriggles into his upper-crust world. But Banning finds herself falling for the dashing billionaire -- the man she's supposed to be trying to put behind bars.
Is it any good?
This is the movie equivalent of a beach book, a glossy story about beautiful, wealthy people that not only doesn't require much thinking but actually repels it. Think too much, and you'll miss the slight but real pleasures of this remake of the 1968 version starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway.
Dunaway appears briefly in this remake as Crown's therapist, to let us know that all of this is just acting out due to his fear of -- guess what -- intimacy. That is just one example of the movie's biggest failure: More clever than smart, it tells us instead of showing us such major points as the main characters' fear of trusting someone else and the fact that they find each other uniquely not boring. But we are willing to let movies like this one carry us along in exchange for some steamy moments, some crafty twists, and some beautiful scenery -- Brosnan and Russo included.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about movie remakes. Why does Hollywood often choose to remake classic and/or hit movies instead of new releases?
Did the extended sex scene seem relevant to the story, or did it seem forced in as a way to keep the audience entertained?
In this movie, two opposites fall in love with each other. What are some other examples of movies in which "opposites attract?" Why do you think movies with this type of storyline appeal to so many?
Movie details
- In theaters: August 6, 1999
- On DVD or streaming: January 4, 2000
- Cast: Denis Leary, Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo
- Director: John McTiernan
- Studio: MGM/UA
- Genre: Thriller
- Run time: 113 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: some sexuality and language
- Last updated: May 2, 2020
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
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