AFTER THE SUNSET

"I'm retired"

Max Burdett

After stealing the second of three Napoleon diamonds, right under the nose of his FBI nemesis Stan Lloyd (Harrelson), master thief Max Burdett (Brosnan) decides to retire to the Caribbean with his girl friend and partner in crime Lola (Hayek). Six months later he discovers that the final diamond is coming into port as the showpiece exhibit on a cruise liner but as the ship arrives on the island so does Agent Lloyd. Can Max control his temptation of stealing the last jewel or will he give in and complete his life's work?

Whether he is a super spy or a gentleman thief, Pierce Brosnan is the epitome of suave sophistication but can he keep up his reputation in his latest big screen adventure?

Rolling in money, living the high life and having a beautiful girl on his arm is what Brosnan's big budget persona is all about and After the Sunset does nothing to change that. No stranger to the master thief role, after playing it so successfully in 'The Thomas Crown Affair', Brosnan plays Max Burdett with ease and still oozes style and charisma. The role isn't much of a push for the actor but he creates a character that you cannot help but like and he makes it easy for you to get behind someone who is actually breaking the law.

Supporting him is arguably one of the most beautiful women working in Hollywood today, Salma Hayek. Setting the film in the Caribbean gives the filmmakers the chance to get her is some extremely tight clothes or virtually nothing at all. She has a magnificent body but she also has the acting talent to back this up. Even though she is incredibly gorgeous you never question her intelligence or ability as an actress as she creates characters that most people can connect with and instantly like.

The third main player is the underrated Woody Harrelson as Agent Stan Lloyd. He is an actor who has proved his ability in films like 'The People vs. Larry Flint' and 'Natural Born Killers' but he still doesn't seem to get the higher profile roles he deserves. In 'After the Sunset' he returns to his comedic roots that served him so well in 'Cheers' by creating a character that is unintentionally funny. It is the chemistry between Brosnan and him that ties the film together, as their relationship changes from one of loathing to friendship and back again. Hopefully this will raise Harrelson's profile again as he really needs to start showing some bouncebackability in his career.

In supporting roles, the always-excellent Don Cheadle is criminally underused but Brit actress Naomie Harris makes a strong Hollywood as local policewoman Sophie.

Director Brett Ratner continues his trend of producing entertaining popcorn movies. His movies never really push the cinematic envelope, even when he has more complicated material (such as Red Dragon) but you cannot call any of his films dull. He does get good performances out of his actors and they always look good but he really needs a movie that will start you thinking of him as a director to watch.

After the Sunset is a good piece of popcorn entertainment. The three main characters are good and the movie looks great in it Caribbean location. The heist plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing but the ending is not as satisfying as it could have been. There is enough here however to steal your attention for the full one hundred minutes but don't expect it to be a cinematic jewel.

NOT AVAILABLE

The Thomas Crown Affair

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2004