The Thomas Crown Affair

Almost twice as sexy as Pawn Sacrifice. Almost.

Style over substance. Attractive leads, mesmerizing Haskell cinematography (especially the ludicrous chess sequence), cool vehicles and fashion. All in service of a flimsy plot.

This film captures that 60s cool, thanks largely to McQueen and Dunaway, as well its stylistic flourishes. But nothing else really works. However, it's funny to see Austin Powers didn't have to change much in the sexy chess scene.

The biggest problem with The Thomas Crown Affair is that it is inconsistent. Steve McQueen often has nothing to do but look cool. It's Faye Dunaway who shines here in this fun, but very 60's, heist classic.

I was profoundly irritated by this film ... by it's pointless split screens, it's cutesy visual tricks, and by Michel Grand's annoying, overy busy score.

Crown is your typical American Anti-hero; a rich, self-important, lavish, womanising bastard. His love interest, Vicki is almost the female equivalent; she plays dirty, loves the money and doesn't hesitate to cross moral barriers to gain an (unfair) advantage. They make the perfect screen couple that Hollywood laps up all day long; as if by idolosing them they fill the void of gutless viewers who lack a sense of thrill and fame in their lives. All in all, this film just isn't that great.

Chess has never been this dirty.

Not great cinema, some aspects didn't agree so well, but enjoyable for the leads and the style.

He's playing a 34 year old while looking 50 at 38.

Feels like Jewison is laying a path for Soderbergh – more fun to luxuriate in than to become invested in the simple and contrived plotting, but there is much to enjoy here, especially McQueen and Dunaway’s appealing performances (who knew Dunaway of all people would be able to unlock McQueen’s playful side?) It does feel like Jewison doesn’t always have control of his impulses (some scenes whiplash disconcertingly from conventional to jagged and back again), but it’s still a fascinating effort.

A bit uneven at time when they switch from stylised scenes to more idle and flat scenes. The heist in itself and the attempt at trapping Thomas are simple, but the overall movie is novel still. I guess I expected more however.

okay movie

Likeable in some parts but doesn't age well. Definitely not watching the 1999 version or the latest version in the works.

Fun heist flick. So very late 60's cinema with the jazz score and the multiscreen shots. Bonus points for Dunaway giving a hand job to a chess piece.

Nice style but thin plot.

75.000

About as 60's as you can get without a beehive hair do and french woman pop-shopping.

The chess scene alone is worth your time.

This movie is ok, but is too outdated for me, the shots are weird and the story telling isn't very engaging. On the good side is always nice to see Steve McQueenan and Faye Dunaway

mcqueen beats brosnan any day of the week, and this movie is easily better than the remake, but it's still only a good one time watch.

Stylish, inventive and entertaining. Compared with the 1999 version, this story is rather simplistic, but it delivers big-time in terms of chemistry, subtlety and attention to detail of language and movement. It's a different beast, one which is more primal than its cerebral imitator. The memorable chess scene epitomises this playful seductiveness, and its juxtaposition with the action man montage sequences is enough to make us forget the slightly banal peripheral characters and story.

This is another example of how Steve McQueen is the King of Cool. McQueen and Faye Dunaway work well together as two people on the opposite sides of the law. This is a very entertaining, fun movie.

Horribleness. Admittedly the first fifteen minutes had me but then I struggled to make it to the end. Like every Faye Dunaway vehicle, it suffers from having Faye Dunaway in it. Steve McQueen is a snarky bastard but doesn't pull off brilliant business tycoon too well. And the "shocking twist" of an ending! Seriously???? WTH??? One of the few cases of the remake trumping the original.

- worth experiencing

71.625

Dnf-60 min

Entertaining and sharp, featuring a good Steve McQueen and a bunch of great scenes (the robbery, the chess game).

Amazing cinematography, and excellent costumes.

A definate case of style covering up a lack of content but the style is particularly impressive. The regular split screen action is bareable only because it is a novelty and I hope not to see it again soon. A typically flashy and sexy thriller from the 60s. Enjoy it for what it is !!

Typical 60s fare. All style and no substance. And that Abel Gance split-screen stuff...forget about it.

M: 75/100 S 70/100 Mike: Sassy antihero battle of the sexes. Sophia: what Mike said.

oser af stil

A subtle mix of drama, thriller and romance with the sexiest (now iconic) game of chess you're ever likely to see. Good plot, great characterisation by all involved and some brilliant music to boot. If you're going to watch one version of this film make it this one.

Very Good

Eh.. kinda bored me.. Jewison's an excellent filmmaker and this movie is a stylistic triumph, but all the razzle-dazzle fails to make up for the unexciting (if ambitious) script.

Excellent film.

Director Jewison is clearly having fun: multiscreens, innovative editing and use of music. McQueen is cool, Dunaway is stunning and her character quite modern & independent. It starts strongly with a long heist scene; the sensual chess match is another highlight, but it then goes into autopilot with filler shots in the beach; 2nd heist is basically skipped. It feels longer than 100mins. It's a prime example of 60's cool with two of the biggest stars of the era, but it's not quite a classic.

Much more slow-paced than the remake, and the split screen is perhaps the most annoying thing ever invented for this movie. A rare case of the remake being better than the original.