Review of The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) by Patrick T — 05 Apr 2008

Perhaps the most romantic anarchist/crime film since "Captain Blood", "The Thomas Crown Affair" depicts the swingin', cocktail lounge lifestyle at its most elegant, stylish heights.

Every set is magnificent, from the abstract painting in Thomas Crown's main office to the chess set in Crown's stately yet relaxed study. The film feels experimental and avant-garde, with its numerous multiple screen shots, often multiplying to a dizzying checkerboard array as we try unsuccessfully to figure out what makes Crown tick.

I think the answer lies in the complete rapture Crown is in throughout the film. He bursts out in laughter from time to time because he even awes himself. Yet there is an undeniable sense of modesty behind Crown's unstoppable confidence; never a sense of arrogance, but just cold, pure, and philosophical competence.

Crown is the ultimate man of leisure, on the polo fields, in his glider, or in his dune buggy.The lush score by Michel Legrand carries this lush film all the way through. King of Cool Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway seem to carry out volumes of dialog by just staring at each other with their famous smirks.

A superb fantasy with a elegiac ending, and a tale unruined by mundane morality.