After the Sunset

Last updated
After the Sunset
AfterTheSunsetPoster.jpg
International poster
Directed by Brett Ratner
Screenplay by
Story byPaul Zbyszewski
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Dante Spinotti
Edited by Mark Helfrich
Music by Lalo Schifrin
Distributed by New Line Cinema
Release date
  • November 12, 2004 (2004-11-12)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$57-60 million [1] [2]
Box office$62.7 million [1]

After the Sunset is a 2004 American heist action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner and starring Pierce Brosnan as Max Burdett, a master thief caught in a pursuit with FBI agent Stan Lloyd, played by Woody Harrelson. It was shot in the Bahamas. The film was met with negative reviews and flopped at the box office.

Contents

Plot

Master thief Max Burdett and his girlfriend, Lola Cirillo, steal the second of three famous diamonds, known as the Napoleon diamonds, from FBI Agent Stanley P. Lloyd. But Lloyd shoots Max before passing out from being gassed by the thieves. Max survives and tells Lola to get the diamond. She does, leaving in its place the one-dollar bill that she had received as a tip for washing the agents' windshield (while in disguise as a dreadlocked, scruffy looking man). Max and Lola then fly to Paradise Island in The Bahamas.

Agent Stanley P. Lloyd shows up 6 months later and accuses Burdett of planning to steal the third Napoleon diamond, which is on a cruise ship that will be docking for a week on the island. He denies this, and unwittingly turns the tables and befriends the frustrated detective Lloyd, showing him the pleasures that Paradise Island has to offer, even paying for the most expensive suite, the bridge suite, for as long as Lloyd is there.

Lloyd, out of his element, adapts quickly to the easy-going Caribbean lifestyle. He partners up with Sophie, a local constable, to try to capture Max at last when he steals the diamond, which Max visits and later gives in to the temptation to steal. Henri Mooré, a powerful, popular tycoon thought of by some as a gangster, learns of Burdett's impressive history as a thief. So, he offers him additional island-life benefits and pleasures in return for stealing the diamond.

Burdett, still wanting the diamond for himself, pretends to work with Mooré. He gives him a fake plan as to how he would steal the diamond (which he had earlier related to Stan), having no trouble keeping ahead of his nemesis in the meantime. Lola kicks Max out after he breaks his promise to spend their first sunset on her new deck she had been working on and after she finds out he lied about writing his vows to her.

Max is forced to bunk with Stan, and they share their thoughts about each other's lives. The next morning, the authorities and Sophie discover them, revealing that Stan's on suspension from the FBI. They team up to win back Sophie and Lola, but Max still gives in and uses the dive trip as a distraction to steal the diamond, which works perfectly when Mooré's man tries at the same time but is caught after the fake plan doesn't work.

After the fallout, Lola leaves Max after Lloyd shoots Mooré dead when he comes for the diamond. Max realizes his error, writes his vows, and manages to win back Lola at the airport before she leaves, proposing to her with "the first diamond he ever bought".

The next day, Max is met by Stan while celebrating, who reveals he set him up and let Max do all the work while he later recovered the diamond as he'd seen him preparing the hiding place for it. Max concedes that his nemesis has won this time and is simply happy to live out his life with Lola, watching sunsets with her.

As Max and Lola are enjoying themselves on the beach, Max uses a remote control on Stan's car that has arrived at the airport, using it to mess with Stan, who quickly realizes what is going on and is unable to do anything about it. Lola asks Max if this is the "last time", which he agrees to.

Cast

The film also features several cameos, including Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Phil Jackson, Jeff Garlin, Dyan Cannon, Edward Norton, and Shaquille O'Neal as themselves.

Production

Paul Zbyszewski's original screenplay for After the Sunset was discovered by producers Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson, both known for producing movies such as Tigerland (2000) and Requiem for a Dream (2000). The script was purchased by New Line Cinema, and the producers hired Australian screenwriter Craig Rosenberg to create a re-write. Both the studio and the producers agreed that their first choice for the role of master thief Max Burdett was Pierce Brosnan. [3] Salma Hayek, Oscar-nominated for her role in Frida (2002), was the next actor to join the cast. [4]

Next to join the cast was director Brett Ratner. [5] The film had originally been scheduled to be directed by John Stockwell but dropped out due to creative differences. [6] Talking about joining the movie, Ratner said: "I love caper films. There are so many great films in this genre, but what makes After the Sunset different is that it's a heist movie that has a combination of great relationships, heart, and comedy."

Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan were both offered film cameos as police officers (a nod to the Rush Hour series which Brett Ratner also directed) but turned them down.[ citation needed ]

With the two leads set, Woody Harrelson was cast in the role of Burdett's nemesis, FBI agent Stanley Lloyd. [7] Harrelson said during promotion: "When this movie came along, I loved it right away." Don Cheadle's casting marked a third collaboration with Ratner, following The Family Man (2000) and Rush Hour 2 (2001). The role of Sophie, the Bahamian cop, was the next role to be cast. British actress Naomie Harris landed the role. [8]

With the majority of the script set on an island in the Caribbean, the filmmakers decided to shoot in The Bahamas, based out of the Atlantis resort in Nassau.

Reception

Box office

The film opened at number 3 in North America, earning $11,100,392 in its opening weekend, with its widest release in 2,819 theaters. It grossed $28,331,233 domestically and $33,016,564 in international markets, adding up to a worldwide gross of $61,347,797. [1]

Critical response

After the Sunset received negative reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 18% approval rating, based on 136 reviews, with an average score of 4.4/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "A slick but bland thriller." [9] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 38 out of 100 based on 32 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". [10]

Ty Burr from The Boston Globe saw the film's potential as a "decent heist flick" during the opening robbery scene but felt it devolves into a plotless drag involving sightseeing and female-ogling in the Bahamas. [11] Peter Howell of the Toronto Star gave note of Zbyszewski and Rosenberg's script feeling barebones within its given genre and moving "unsteadily between crime drama and romantic farce", and Ratner's direction matching it in terms of tonal whiplash and coming across like a "tourist infomercial," calling it "one of the most lackadaisical Hollywood projects of the year." [12] Scott Tobias of The A.V. Club criticized Ratner and Zbyszewski for making a "pale revision" of Michael Mann's Heat that sidesteps both the heist and interesting characters for more macho posturing and homophobic humor between its two male leads. [13]

Entertainment Weekly 's Owen Gleiberman gave the film a B− grade, calling it "a knowingly preposterous toy thriller--a sheer escape from consequence." [14] Roger Ebert pointed out the numerous plot machinations and "behavior-circling clichés" amongst the characters throughout the film but gave it credit for accomplishing the type of entertainment it aims to be, despite there being better movie choices for film-goers to check out, saying that "After the Sunset is skillfully made, but it's not necessary […] On the other hand, should you see it, the time will pass pleasantly." [15] James Berardinelli found the film to be "a mess, but [it's] a fun, breezy mess", criticizing the overall heist and weak characterization but gave praise to the quick pacing, three-way chemistry between Brosnan, Hayek and Harrelson, and Dante Spinotti's cinematography for capturing the "natural beauty" of its Caribbean setting, saying "despite not being especially well-written, it nevertheless offers a 100-minute, unpretentious diversion." [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salma Hayek</span> Actress and film producer (born 1966)

Salma Valgarma Hayek Pinault is an actress and film producer. She began her career in Mexico with starring roles in the telenovela Teresa (1989–1991) as well as the romantic drama Midaq Alley (1995). She soon established herself in Hollywood with appearances in films such as Desperado (1995), From Dusk till Dawn (1996), Wild Wild West (1999), and Dogma (1999).

<i>The Family Man</i> 2000 film directed by Brett Ratner

The Family Man is a 2000 American romantic fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Brett Ratner, from a screenplay by David Diamond and David Weissman. The film stars Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni, with Don Cheadle, Saul Rubinek, and Jeremy Piven in supporting roles.

<i>Die Another Day</i> 2002 James Bond film by Lee Tamahori

Die Another Day is a 2002 spy film and the twentieth film in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions. It was directed by Lee Tamahori, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, and written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. The fourth and final film starring Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond, it was also the only film to feature John Cleese as Q, and the last with Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny. It is also the first film since Live and Let Die (1973) not to feature Desmond Llewelyn as Q as he died three years earlier. Halle Berry co-stars as Bond girl and NSA agent Jinx. In the film, Bond attempts to locate a traitor in British intelligence who betrayed him and a British billionaire who is later revealed to be connected to a North Korean operative who Bond seemingly killed. It is an original story, although it takes influence from Bond creator Ian Fleming's novels Moonraker (1955) and The Man with the Golden Gun (1965), as well as Kingsley Amis's novel, Colonel Sun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Ratner</span> American film director and producer (born 1969)

Brett Ratner is an American film director and producer. He directed the Rush Hour film series, The Family Man, Red Dragon, X-Men: The Last Stand, Tower Heist, and Hercules. He is a producer of several films, including the Horrible Bosses series, as well as executive producer on other projects, including the films The Revenant and War Dogs and the television series Prison Break.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pierce Brosnan</span> Irish actor (born 1953)

Pierce Brendan Brosnan is an Irish actor and film producer. He was the fifth actor to play the fictional secret agent James Bond in the James Bond film series, starring in four films from 1995 to 2002 and in multiple video games, such as GoldenEye 007.

<i>Entrapment</i> (film) 1999 film by Jon Amiel

Entrapment is a 1999 caper film directed by Jon Amiel and written by Ronald Bass. It stars Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones and includes Will Patton, Ving Rhames and Maury Chaykin. The film focuses on the relationship between an investigator and a professional thief as they attempt a heist at the turn of the New Millennium. Simon West and Antoine Fuqua were both in talks to direct before Amiel was hired. The score was composed by Christopher Young and British singer Seal performs "Lost My Faith" over the end credits. The film was released theatrically in the US on 30 April 1999 and in the UK on 2 July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Art theft</span> Stealing of paintings or sculptures from museums

Art theft, sometimes called artnapping, is the stealing of paintings, sculptures, or other forms of visual art from galleries, museums or other public and private locations. Stolen art is often resold or used by criminals as collateral to secure loans. Only a small percentage of stolen art is recovered—an estimated 10%. Many nations operate police squads to investigate art theft and illegal trade in stolen art and antiquities.

<i>Blue Streak</i> (film) 1999 film by Les Mayfield

Blue Streak is a 1999 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Les Mayfield. Inspired by the 1965 film The Big Job, the film stars Martin Lawrence, Luke Wilson, Dave Chappelle, Peter Greene, Nicole Ari Parker and William Forsythe. Lawrence plays Miles, a jewel thief who tries to retrieve a diamond he left at a police station, whereupon he disguises himself as a detective and gets paired with a real policeman to investigate burglaries. The film was shot on location in California. The prime shooting spot was Sony Pictures Studios, which is located in Culver City, California.

<i>Oceans Twelve</i> 2004 film by Steven Soderbergh

Ocean's Twelve is a 2004 American heist comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by George Nolfi. The second installment in the Ocean's film trilogy franchise and the sequel to Ocean's Eleven (2001), the film features an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andy García, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Julia Roberts, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Vincent Cassel, Eddie Jemison, Carl Reiner, and Elliott Gould.

<i>Crime Spree</i> 2003 Canadian film

Crime Spree is a 2003 Canadian-British comedy-heist thriller film, written and directed by Brad Mirman, starring Gérard Depardieu, Harvey Keitel and French singers Johnny Hallyday and Renaud. The fish out of water film concerns a band of French thieves who get more than they bargain for after burglarizing the home of a Chicago mafia boss.

<i>Oceans Thirteen</i> 2007 film by Steven Soderbergh

Ocean's Thirteen is a 2007 American heist comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien. It is the final installment in the Ocean's film trilogy and the sequel to Ocean's Twelve (2004). The film features an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy García, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin, Al Pacino, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Qin Shaobo, Carl Reiner, and Elliott Gould.

Mark Helfrich is an American film editor and a film director.

<i>Tower Heist</i> 2011 heist comedy film directed by Brett Ratner

Tower Heist is a 2011 American heist comedy film directed by Brett Ratner, written by Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson, based on a story by Bill Collage, Adam Cooper and Griffin and starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy with Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Judd Hirsch, Téa Leoni, Michael Peña, and Gabourey Sidibe in supporting roles. The plot follows employees of an exclusive apartment building who lose their pensions in the Ponzi scheme of a Wall Street businessman and enlist the aid of a criminal, a bankrupt businessman, and an immigrant maid to break into his apartment and steal back their money while avoiding the FBI agents in charge of his case. The film marked one of Heavy D's final roles before his death on November 8, 2011, four days after its theatrical release.

<i>Now You See Me</i> (film) 2013 film by Louis Leterrier

Now You See Me is a 2013 American heist film directed by Louis Leterrier from a screenplay by Ed Solomon, Boaz Yakin, and Edward Ricourt and a story by Yakin and Ricourt. It is the first installment in the Now You See Me series. The film features an ensemble cast of Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Mélanie Laurent, Isla Fisher, Common, Dave Franco, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman. The plot follows an FBI agent and an Interpol detective who track and attempt to bring to justice a team of magicians who pull off bank heists and robberies during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

<i>Now You See Me 2</i> 2016 film directed by Jon M. Chu

Now You See Me 2 is a 2016 American heist film directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Ed Solomon and a story by Solomon and Peter Chiarelli. It serves as a sequel to 2013's Now You See Me and the second installment in the Now You See Me series. The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan, Jay Chou, Sanaa Lathan, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman. The plot has the Four Horsemen and their leader Dylan Rhodes recruited by Walter Mabry, a criminal mastermind, to steal a data chip.

Lionsgate Premiere is the speciality film division of entertainment company Lionsgate Films that specializes in direct-to-video and direct-to-video on demand.

"Night and Day" is a song by Jamaican recording artist Dawn Penn from her debut studio album, No, No, No (1994). The song was originally written by Augustus Pablo as "Baby I Love You So" and released as a single by Jacob Miller in 1974. On Penn's album it appeared as "Night and Day". It was later re-titled "Night and Day (Baby I Love You So)" for the single release.

<i>The Misfits</i> (2021 film) 2021 American film by Renny Harlin

The Misfits is a 2021 American heist action film directed by Renny Harlin and written by Robert Henny and Kurt Wimmer. The film stars Pierce Brosnan, Rami Jaber, Hermione Corfield, Jamie Chung, Mike Angelo, Tim Roth, Nick Cannon, and Qais Qandil.

<i>Kaleidoscope</i> (American TV series) 2023 heist drama miniseries by Eric Garcia

Kaleidoscope is an American heist drama television anthology series created by Eric Garcia. The eight-part series, unique for its shuffled order, centers on master thief Leo Pap and his crew attempting an epic heist worth $7 billion, but betrayal, greed and other threats undermine their plans.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "After the Sunset (2004)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved December 19, 2008.
  2. ↑ "After the Sunset (2004) - Financial Information". The Numbers .
  3. ↑ "NL catches Brosnan for 'Sunset' sail" . The Hollywood Reporter . March 26, 2003. Retrieved May 6, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ "Salma Hayek Sits in Sunset with Pierce Brosnan". ComingSoon.net. CraveOnline. July 3, 2003. Archived from the original on August 13, 2006. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
  5. ↑ Rowe, Vincent (August 11, 2003). "Brett Ratner Sails to Sunset". FilmStew.com. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Brett Ratner Goes in After the Sunset". ComingSoon.net. CraveOnline. August 5, 2003. Archived from the original on March 12, 2005. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Woody Harrelson a Nemesis After the Sunset". ComingSoon.net. CraveOnline. July 23, 2003. Archived from the original on November 17, 2006. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Harris sailing into Sunset with New Line" . The Hollywood Reporter. October 3, 2003. Retrieved May 6, 2007.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "After the Sunset (2004)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ "After the Sunset". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 2, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  11. ↑ Burr, Ty (November 12, 2004). "There's no plot on the horizon in 'Sunset'". The Boston Globe . Boston.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2019.Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
  12. ↑ Howell, Peter (November 12, 2004). "After The Sunset". Toronto Star . Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on November 27, 2005. Retrieved February 27, 2019.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
  13. ↑ Tobias, Scott (November 8, 2004). "After The Sunset". The A.V. Club . The Onion. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  14. ↑ Gleiberman, Owen (November 10, 2004). "After the Sunset". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  15. ↑ Ebert, Roger (November 11, 2004). "'Sunset' sheds no new light on heist genre". Chicago Sun-Times . Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2019– via RogerEbert.com.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
  16. ↑ Berardinelli, James. "After the Sunset". Reelviews. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.