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The MPAA rated After The Sunset (2004) PG-13 for sexuality, violence and language.

With the 007 moniker reportedly dropped from Pierce Brosnan's profile, the actor is obviously still looking for projects with action, intrigue, and cleavage. After the Sunset fills all three of these criteria-but pays special attention to the last.

Brosnan's character, Max Burdett, is one of those classy crooks that exist only in movies. He's apparently so good at ripping off the world's primo treasures that law enforcement experts wryly admire his skills. This is especially true of one particular FBI agent who has been following the thief's career for seven years. However, after meeting Agent Stan Lloyd (Woody Harrelson), you can't help but wonder if the Federal Bureau of Investigation isn't in need of a new human resources director.

When Max and his mistress/partner-in-crime Lola Cirillo (Salma Hayek) manage to steal away yet another diamond under Stan's care, the dumbfounded operative decides to follow the couple to their retirement hideout in the Bahamas.

Agent Lloyd is convinced the pair has chosen this location due to the imminent arrival of a cruise ship, which has on display (for bizarre reasons never explained) the third and last Napoleon diamond. Completely out of his jurisdiction, the bumbling gumshoe enlists the support of local constable Sophie St. Vincent (Naomie Harris). What Stan doesn't know (and what we're supposed to believe) is Max has no knowledge the stone is about to dock in his port... even though he has supposedly already stolen the only other two diamonds from Napoleon's sword.

By now, you are likely detecting a few flaws in what is far from a gem of a script. Things get off to an interesting start, but the midsection of the movie quickly bottoms with scenes of Lola frequently begging Max to leave his robbing days behind. Time and time again, she struts her body in next-to-nothing attire (or less), with the hopes her best assets will distract him. It's a role capable of qualifying Hayek for a nomination as Best Supporting Bimbo (and best supporting bikini).

Casual attitudes toward violence and crime, scattered profanities including a sexual expletive, and steamy sexual interludes with near-nudity aren't likely to make this film appealing to family audiences... not that it was ever intended to be. Yet even adults who come to just look at the "scenery" of beautiful bodies and beaches are more likely find a film that risks having the sun set on Brosnan's action-character persona.

Talk about the movie with your family...

Many movies have portrayed glamorous thieves stealing one-of-a-kind treasures. In reality, would it be possible to sell one of the world's most famous diamonds?

Men are often cast as bumbling cops, FBI agents, or other authority figures. However, females in these roles are usually depicted as being in control, intelligent, and very capable. Why do you think men and women are stereotyped in this way? Can you think of any other movie examples containing these characterizations?

Video alternatives...

In the movie Entrapment, an insurance agent (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who has always admired the work of a skilled thief (Sean Connery), tries to mimic his style and invites him to help her pull off the heist of a lifetime. A retired cat burglar (Carry Grant) goes back into business to prove he isn't the culprit behind a rash of recent robberies in the film To Catch A Thief.

Rod Gustafson

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Official Website...
http://www.afterthesunset.com/.