The Thomas Crown Affair

The Thomas Crown Affair is a 1968 American film directed by Norman Jewison, starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. The film is known for its Boston setting, where Thomas Crown (played by Steve McQueen) is a wealthy businessman who orchestrates a bank heist, and Vicki Anderson (played by Faye Dunaway) is an insurance investigator tasked with solving the crime, while also being drawn to Thomas Crown. The film features a complex plot, with Thomas Crown and Vicki Anderson engaging in a game of cat and mouse, reminiscent of the dynamic between Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in To Have and Have Not.

● Plot

The plot of the film revolves around Thomas Crown, a self-made millionaire who masterminds a bank heist in Boston, and Vicki Anderson, the insurance investigator who is determined to solve the case, while also being drawn to Thomas Crown. As the story unfolds, Vicki Anderson becomes increasingly obsessed with catching Thomas Crown, while also developing a romantic connection with him, similar to the relationships depicted in Alfred Hitchcock's films, such as Vertigo and Rear Window. The film's plot is full of twists and turns, keeping the audience guessing until the very end, much like the Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. The chemistry between Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway is undeniable, and their characters' banter and wit are reminiscent of the Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn's dynamic in The Philadelphia Story.

● Production

The production of the film was led by Norman Jewison, who also directed the film, and United Artists, which produced the film in association with Mirisch Corporation. The film was shot on location in Boston, with Haskell Wexler serving as the cinematographer, and Michel Legrand composing the score, which features the iconic song The Windmills of Your Mind, performed by Noel Harrison. The film's editing was handled by Hal Ashby, Ralph E. Winters, and Byron Brandt, who worked together to create a seamless and engaging narrative, similar to the editing style of Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. The film's cast, including Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Paul Burke, and Jack Weston, delivered strong performances, which were praised by critics, including Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.

● Release

The film was released on June 19, 1968, and was a commercial success, grossing over $14 million at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year, alongside 2001: A Space Odyssey and Rosemary's Baby. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the chemistry between Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, as well as the film's stylish and sophisticated direction, reminiscent of the films of Federico Fellini and Jean-Luc Godard. The film's success can be attributed to the talented cast and crew, including Norman Jewison, Alan Trustman, and Michel Legrand, who all brought their unique perspectives and talents to the project, much like the collaborative efforts of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro on Taxi Driver.

● Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the chemistry between Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, as well as the film's stylish and sophisticated direction, reminiscent of the films of Billy Wilder and Stanley Kubrick. The film holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising the film's unique blend of style, suspense, and romance, similar to the films of Alfred Hitchcock and Brian De Palma. The film's success can be attributed to the talented cast and crew, including Norman Jewison, Alan Trustman, and Michel Legrand, who all brought their unique perspectives and talents to the project, much like the collaborative efforts of Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese on The Godfather and Taxi Driver.

● Themes

The film explores several themes, including the complexities of relationships, the allure of wealth and power, and the cat-and-mouse game between Thomas Crown and Vicki Anderson, reminiscent of the dynamic between James Bond and his adversaries in the James Bond film series. The film also touches on the theme of identity, as Thomas Crown and Vicki Anderson navigate their own identities and motivations, similar to the characters in Ingmar Bergman's Persona and Federico Fellini's 8 1/2. The film's use of style and sophistication also explores the theme of social class, highlighting the differences between the wealthy elite and the working class, much like the films of Satyajit Ray and Luchino Visconti.

● Legacy

The film's legacy can be seen in its influence on future films and filmmakers, including Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven and Spike Lee's Inside Man, which both feature complex heists and cat-and-mouse games between characters, similar to the dynamic between Thomas Crown and Vicki Anderson. The film's style and sophistication have also influenced the work of Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson, who have both cited the film as an inspiration, alongside other classic films like The 400 Blows and Jules and Jim. The film's iconic score, featuring The Windmills of Your Mind, has also become a classic of French pop music, alongside the works of Serge Gainsbourg and Françoise Hardy. Category:1968 films