Today’s quick review: After the Sunset. After stealing a multi-million dollar diamond from FBI agent Stan Lloyd (Woody Harrelson), Max Burdett (Pierce Brosnan) and Lola Cirillo (Salma Hayek) retire to the Bahamas to live out the rest of their lives in luxury. But their happy ending is threatened when Stan tracks them down, convinced that they have come to the Bahamas to steal yet another diamond that’s being displayed there.
After the Sunset is a crime comedy and romance about a retired thief tempted by one last score. Pierce Brosnan stars as Max Burdett, who’s forced to choose between his professional pride and the woman of his dreams, all while staying ahead of the FBI agent who has been hunting him for seven years. After the Sunset’s light tone and likable cast make it a pleasant watch, but it lacks the intricate plot of other heist movies.
After the Sunset is more about the relationships between its characters than the mechanics of the heist itself. Pierce Brosnan and Woody Harrelson make a natural pair as Max and Stan, whose years of enmity have almost made them friends. Brosnan also matches well with Salma Hayek, with Max drawn by the allure of the diamond in spite of Lola’s wish to stay retired. These character dynamics are simple, but they’re enough to carry the movie.
Where After the Sunset falls a little short is with its plot. The movie has a couple of clever tricks up its sleeve, but its twists aren’t nearly as effective as those seen in other heist films. After the Sunset seems content to move its pieces around the board without trying to set up an elaborate endgame. As a result, supporting characters like Sophie (Naomie Harris), a local cop, and Henri (Don Cheadle), a local crime lord, get short shrift.
After the Sunset is a fine pick for anyone in the mood for a light, low-effort heist movie. It is not as thrilling or cerebral as the best films in its genre, and it depends heavily on its characters for its comedic and emotional payoff. But even with these caveats in mind, After the Sunset’s strong cast and charming premise make it an easy movie to enjoy.
For a more elaborate heist with similar charm, try Focus, Duplicity, Out of Sight, or Ocean’s Eleven. For a tropical adventure with a dash of romance, try Fool’s Gold. For a crime movie about a white-collar criminal and an FBI agent, try Catch Me If You Can. For a darker crime drama about the relationship between a cop and a thief, try Heat.
6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for likable characters and a decent story.