Thomas Crown Affair - Original vs Remake
This week we look at The Thomas Crown Affair - original vs remake.
Of course, we discuss which version is better.
SPOILER ALERT - there will be plot elements related to the endings for both movies. If you haven't seen them, go watch them now.
Where to watch online (current as of 04/23/20) -
1968 - https://hdfy.to/movies/crime/the-thom...
1999 - https://hdfy.to/movies/crime/the-thom...
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Show notes:
0:00:54 - why have anti-heroes become so popular; stoic characters
0:02:56 - how anti-heroes offer vicarious fantasies, e.g. Death Wish
0:04:40 - modern prince and heroine; Steve McQueen as king of cool
0:05:32 - women’s lib in 60’s vs Faye Dunaway’s character
0:07:02 - taking chances with portrayal of Vicki Anderson
0:08:40 - who is real hero in this story: Thomas Crown or Vicki Anderson
0:09:50 - is Thomas Crown a sociopath?
0:11:10 - contradiction of “not about the money” when Thomas Crown steals money
0:12:32 - comparing between McQueen and Dunaway’s performance
0:13:48 - love triangle between Thomas Crown, Vicki Anderson - both amoral, and Detective Eddie Malone (played by Paul Burke)
0:15:36 - mischievous boy - Thomas Crown vs. responsible adult - Eddie Malone
0:16:40 - “a woman can trust me, as long as her interests don’t run counter to my own”
0:17:52 - Crown honors rules like golf bet, because he got what he wanted - thrill
“what else are you going to do on a Sunday afternoon”
0:18:30 - Thomas representing conspicuous consumption during Covid-19
0:19:40 - fantasy of freedom vs films like Shawshank Redemption
0:20:40 - will people be like Kevin from Home Alone after quarantine
0:21:54 - Pierce Brosnan as Thomas Crown after James Bond and Remington Steele
0:22:40 - casting actors as shorthand for different roles like Rene Russo as
0:24:02 - director John McTiernan before Rollerball wiretapping ex-wife and producer
0:26:40 - private detective hired by McTiernan was “fixer” for Hollywood power players
0:29:56 - instead of bank robber remake has Thomas Crown as art thief
0:31:12 - what made 1999 Thomas Crown Affair such a strong remake
0:32:10 - how remake uses dialogue for chemistry vs 1968 original
0:33:40 ** short break **
0:33:52 - some iconic music with Bill Conti, known for soundtracks like Rocky and Karate Kid
0:34:42 - Pierce Brosnan not only actor but producer
0:35:42 - Rene Russo as strong woman lead and likeable supporting characters like Dennis Leary
0:36:52 - remake as movie targeting women audience, e.g. hosts of The View
0:38:12 - James Bond as art thief with romance of women’s favorite
0:39:32 - kissing on lips vs cheek as European platonic gesture
0:40:48 - comic partner Frankie Faison and Dennis Leary as brother
0:41:42 - love triangle with peers vs fatherly figure in original
age differences between original vs remake
0:42:44 - how we can’t tell how old Faye Dunaway is and her cameo as laughing psychiatrist
0:44:04 - some references to 1968 original include: glider scene (this time with Rene Russo) and golf bet as well as updated version of “Windmills of Your Mind” by Sting
0:45:00 - midlife crisis for Thomas Crown vs desire for companionship
0:45:52 - wealth and money vs trust and relationships
0:46:48 - last celebration of wealth and product placement for luxury brands and fashion
0:47:48 - original three-piece vs fitting for tailored suits
0:48:52 - tailor made suits for Pierce Brosnan as James Bond
0:49:30 - new millenium around corner vs 80’s consumption and world of American Psycho
0:50:30 - is there more to life than wealth and money?
0:51:10 - what’s symbolized by art like Magritte’s Son of Man vs religious message
0:53:14 - how Thomas Crown Affair remake is fantasy
0:54:56 - choice of jazz to tell story
0:55:32 - will there be happy ending vs story of scorpion and frog
0:57:58 - unanswered questions of what happens to main characters
0:58:46 - comparison / precursor to Fifty Shades of Gray
1:02:02 - interesting split screen effect of original Thomas Crown Affair
1:03:12 - was Thomas Crown Affair remake better than original, iconic scene - • The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) - Chasing T...
1:05:04 - possible sequels and new remakes with Michael B Jordan
1:07:28 - coming up: Andromeda Strain and revisiting Westworld