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 Is the essential theme of this movie (as expressed in the title) one of love or one of crime and are they, in fact, inextricable? Yes, Tom's back, without Steve this time, and following close on the footsteps of Sean Connery's "Entrapment."
Thomas Crowne (Pierce Brosnan) is the billionaire who finds a challenge laced with danger the most appetizing and irresistible delicacy of all. He has an educated taste for art and has let his eye fall on a delightful little Monet that he manages to remove from the Metropolitan museum. No one notices this removal, because they're all to busy trying to catch the thieves. Who would assume that a philanthropic man who often donates vast amounts to different organizations could be responsible for such a notorious act? With his flawless reputation and gigantic bank account, he is beyond suspicion in everyone's opinion, excepting that of clever-dick insurance investigator Catherine Banning (Rene Russo). Of course, the fact that this superbly attractive woman suspects Crowne and is on his tail turns her into yet another challenge in the prince-of-thieves' eyes and makes him want to get on hers. She makes no bones about it as they enjoy a sky-soaring champagne-filled escapade together. The new game they're playing during the interim is better than Beat the Stock Exchange or Gotcha and neither one gets bored while trying to outdo the other between embraces. Two people who are exceptionally determined individuals wind up both metaphorically and figuratively in each other's bed. What's a person to do when one's privacy becomes endangered (and that person likes the thought of it)? Captivating proposition? Scriptwriter Leslie Dixon collaborated with ditto Kurt Wimmer who took the heist scenes for his credit. A modern slant on the story originally conceived and developed by ex-banker Alan R. Trustman for the original film with Steve McQueen. Where many re-makes tend to fail, this one creates the same excitement the first one did three decades ago and manages to capture the audience's interest on a level more in tune with the 90's. Director John McTiernan, who has given us such vehicles in the past as "Die Hard" and "Die Hard: With a Vengeance," now presents us with yet another enjoyable tryst in Try Hard with Allegiance. Production Designer Bruno Rubeo tastefully puts the nouveau into elegance. Pierce Brosnan has the gentlemanly suave it takes to be a criminal with dash, flash, and lots of cash (The best thing around since David Niven). Rene Russo is definitely lookin' lip-smackin' good (not exactly what you'd normally expect from your typical Christian Scientist) as she struts her stuff on the right side of the law, gettin'the bad guy down. Faye Dunaway puts in an appearance and makes one wonder if she still longs for Thomas Crowne herself or has managed to deal with her loss through the passage of time by becoming his shrink. Twirl this one around the windmills of your mind.
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