Oddly, this is a film that still stands out hugely for me a decade on, 2004's After The Sunset is definitely one that I am always happy to return to (which I did most recently, again through the magic of Sky). Quite widely panned by critics, billed and advertised as a slick crime thriller perhaps a tad more so than it deserves, it is still one of my favourite films. It is a bit difficult to explain why; there are just a lot of singularly positive elements I like, so much so that I would go so far as to say that I feel this to be a future classic of a film (even though I might be in a minority).
Essentially the plot revolves around retired jewel thieves, played by Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek, who escape to a quiet life in the Caribbean but are tempted into one last job, whilst being hounded by an outlandish yet determined FBI agent. Relatively simple plot, but done very well.
Before any cast are mentioned in depth however, I feel the location must be mentioned. Most movie locations can be very well-suited and even exotic, but in this case particularly so. The Bahamian setting of this film just fits in absolutely perfectly to the whole feel of the thing, down to the last minute detail. Yes in some areas this leads to more than a few clichés, but who cares? It truly is beautiful to behold.
Pierce Brosnan starred in this film whilst still in his post-Bond prime (two years after Die Another Day) and his confidence, rough-around-the edge smoothness, and charm exudes in spades. Occasionally his dialogue delivery is a little wooden and predictable but it really does not matter, as his lead performance is resoundingly solid in so many ways. What's more, his leading lady is Salma Hayek who simply sizzles in every scene she is in (with the odd moment of gratuitous flesh flashing, but I'm not really complaining). The chemistry between the two is extremely tangible, and at almost every point it is more than enough to drive this film forward.
I can take or leave Woody Harrelson; I've seen him do great things on screen as well as a few "meh" moments. This is definitely the former. His is a character of incredibly mish-mashed and over-the-top elements, and in a true and pure crime thriller I don't think he would work as an FBI agent. But within the blend of slick pace and light-hearted comedy that is After the Sunset, I do feel he is ideally suited.
Not only are we treated to these three, but we also get a very nuanced and effortless performance from Don Cheadle, as well as a very watchable early outing from Naomi Harris.
By the end of the film, these five make a very convincing, and highly entertaining core cast that deliver a great film. Yes OK, it is not the most sophisticated and erstwhile picture you will ever see and it doe not take itself too seriously. However in not being too serious, After the Sunset allows audiences to access elements of fun and cheekiness that they wouldn't normally find in a film of this type. I also think in many ways it was a first for the action/comedy genre; something that has been repeated almost constantly and with varying degrees of success to this day.Yet with a strong casting pedigree, slick script, stunning location and great outlook, we manage to see and appreciate in After the Sunset a truly wonderful, yet in retrospect relatively demure film that nevertheless always puts a big smile on your face.
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