Posted: 11/28/2004

After the Sunset

(2004)

by Hank Yuloff

After the Sunset is a movie filled with beautiful scenery that makes you want to order a Pina Colada, grab a book, and go relax on the beach.

Part of that beautiful scenery are Max Burdett and Lola Cirillo, two jewel thieves (Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek) who are trying to do just that—take an early retirement from their illegal ways and enjoy the fruits of their ill-gotten gains.

But it seems that FBI agent Stan P. Lloyd (Woody Harrelson) just won’t let them alone. The couple has used him twice as their foil as they have stolen some of the most valuable diamonds in the world—two of three from the hilt of Napoleon’s sword- and when the third is about to steam right into their backyard on a cruise ship, Lloyd is there to catch them.

Did they know the diamond was coming? Is that why they chose that spot to retire to? How could they steal the diamond be stolen with everyone watching them under a microscope? Will Lloyd make up for 8 years of stalking his prey? Will Burdett ever get his wedding vows to Cirillo written? These are the questions that are asked and answered during what is a very fun whodunit popcorn movie.

The fact that Brosnan and Hayak are part of the scenery makes it just that much better. Brosnan (James F-ing Bond) is 51 but still smokes up the screen like Paul Newman, Robert Redford and James Stewart. And speaking of smoking… if Hayek (Frida, Dogma) wore a bikini that was any less revealing or any less often, this movie would be bumped to an R.

Also heating up the screen was Naomie Harris (28 Days Later, Trauma) Who plays a local cop helping Harrelson (White Men Cant Jump, Welcome to Sarajevo) catch the duo.

This is not a very deep production. But on the positive side, I did not find any huge gaping holes in the plot to just piss me off and make me down my aforementioned Pina Colada so before the sun goes down, take a look at After the Sunset.

Hank Yuloff had a fun time watching his wife salivate during the entire movie… yet another reason he liked this film.

Got a problem? E-mail us at filmmonthly@gmail.com