MissSimonetta The Thomas Crown Affair is one of those films that just screams 1960s cool, from the fashions to the jazz score. Yet the film is not a case of nostalgic style over substance, but a bittersweet character study of McQueen and Dunaway's characters who use thrills as a substitute for meaning in their otherwise empty lives. While the film revels in glamorous vistas and "lifestyle porn," there are several scenes set in graveyards which foreshadow the movie's bittersweet conclusion. In the end, love doesn't conquer all and McQuen's escape is purely superficial; he remains imprisoned by his own hedonistic lifestyle and the viewer is left wondering if he'll ever be able to escape it.While some of the stylistic choices of the film have dated (the use of split-screen for one), I don't think they've dated as badly as other reviewers claim. Otherwise, the film has held up remarkably well, both of its time and yet transcending it, as many true classics have.

tomgillespie2002 Some movies rely on the chemistry of their lead co-stars in order to engage their audience, hoping that the thrill of watching two sexy movie-stars romancing and eventually getting it on with each other will provide sufficient escapism to make the reality lurking outside seem a world away. It's difficult to think of a film as reliant on the raw sex appeal of its superstars than Norman Jewison's 1968 heist thriller The Thomas Crown Affair, and Steve McQueen, as the titular millionaire playboy, and Faye Dunaway, as the sultry insurance investigator hot on his tail, positively sizzle with chemistry. In fact, they are so gorgeous that they manage to turn a game of chess into a playful game of seduction. The duo have certainly given much better performances during their careers, but they have never looked so good.This pretty much sums up The Thomas Crown Affair: a polished, colourful star vehicle with an unashamedly glossy veneer. At the very centre of the story is a bank heist gone right, masterminded by the rather smug Thomas Crown (McQueen) after he handpicks his crew without ever letting them see his face. The thieves escape with over 2 million dollars, and nobody, including the rather clueless Detective Eddy Malone (Paul Burke), has any idea who it was. Enter Vicki Anderson (Dunaway), a no-nonsense independent woman with a love of the finer things in life. She quickly figures out that Crown was behind it all, but remains puzzled at why a man with everything would want to steal money he doesn't need. Of course, it's all a game, and the couple start their own game of cat-and-mouse as they embark on a steam affair.Taking inspiration from the Expo 67 film A Place to Stand, which greatly impressed McQueen, Jewison employs 'multi-dynamic image technique', splitting the screen into sections with each part showing a different viewpoint. It gives the film a unique style, especially during the opening heist, and when combined with 60s kitsch, everything is wonderful to look at. While the visuals still impress, the characters are somewhat dated. He's the rich, philandering charmer, and she is bowled over by his fast-living and expensive possessions. It makes it all the more difficult to warm to a character I would detest in real life, but McQueen has more than enough charisma to pull through. There are never any real stakes, but it's pretty fun while it lasts, just a little hollow at its centre. The Pierce Brosnan/Rene Russo remake from 1999 makes for a more satisfying ride.

sackville-77871 McQueen was totally miscast in this otherwise good film. He is inelegant, bouncy and fragmented. The famous chess scene would have been marvelously played by Lee Van Cleef who could use his face better than any actor in the sixties. He was also elegant, authoritative and would have played the part with more detachment & class. He would have been a perfect match for the gorgeous Faye Dunaway, a woman who could bring even the intense Van Cleef to the bedroom. Too bad they never worked together--what a match. Paul Burke was terrific and the camera work was excellent. The music, however, dated the film as did McQueen wearing those awful sneakers when he left the house at night. All told, McQueen was entirely too shallow to play a bored millionaire.

Python Hyena The Thomas Crown Affair (1968): Dir: Norman Jrwison / Cast: Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Paul Burke, Jack Weston, Gordon Pinsent: Clever caper film that gets caught up in romantic formula but not without a heavy dose of wit and charm. Title refers to the anti-hero's lifestyle as well as the romance that threatens to expose him. Thomas Crown pulls off a robbery and Faye Dunaway is sent to investigate but ends up in a romance that will leave her with two choices. Director Norman Jewison does multi-split screen to aid points of view but structure needed more of the crime as oppose to the affair. McQueen plays Crown as witty, laughing at his shrewd accomplishment while baiting Dunaway's seductive methods. What works against the film is its willingness to present the criminal as heroic, even though McQueen is pretty much able to disarm us with his charm. Dunaway is intriguing despite her position within the formula romance. The payoff is her placement in the conclusion and the turmoil going through her mind as he merges far ahead of them. Flat supporting roles from Paul Burke and Jack Weston work against the film. This is also an early appearance for Gordon Pinsent although the film pretty much belongs to the leads. Well made caper that doesn't always work but it maintains a sense of fun. It regards how seduction can reduce even the biggest crimes to exposure. Score: 7 / 10