After the Sunset (2004)
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Premise: A couple of jewel thieves (Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek) move to the Caribbean and are pursued by an FBI agent (Woody Harrelson) while scoping out their next job.
What Works: It is not a straight action film. It does follow the rules of the caper genre but its characters are amusing and interesting. The relationship between Brosnan and Hayek is engaging when they finally get their hands off of each other and take time to develop their characters. The movie is surprisingly funny in places, with gags similar in tone to what Ratner used in Rush Hour.
What Doesn’t: Some of the humor does not work or is not funny enough. The part of the story involving the chief villain (Don Cheadle) is not given enough screen time and the conclusion of the film goes for Hollywood happiness rather than a more character driven, ironic ending.
Bottom Line: After the Sunset is enjoyable as light popcorn entertainment. Brett Ratner is a competent director, but I think he has done better and has better films in him.
Episode: #27 (November 14, 2004)