Sun doesn't rise on 'After the Sunset'

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

AFTER THE SUNSET (PG-13) Two-and-a-Half Stars (Fair-to-Good) Brett Ratner's new heist movie offers delight for the eye but is less satisfying for the mind. Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and exotic Caribbean locations are all a joy to look at. But the story that binds them together is little more than a distraction from all that eye candy. New Line, 93 minutes.

"After the Sunset" is a lesser heist flick, a modest successor to more exciting precursors, from "Topkapi" to "Oceans 11." Brett Ratner's film also tries to emulate a variety of Elmore Leonard projects by populating the screen with eccentric but likable heroes and villains. But here, too, the result is Elmore Lite at best.

In the prologue, veteran jewel thieves Max (Brosnan) and Lola (Hayek) are completing an outlandish robbery of the second of three famous "Napoleon diamonds" while it's being delivered to a Los Angeles museum. FBI agent Stan Lloyd (Woody Harrelson) heads the operation to guard the jewel, so, of course, he feels personally embarrassed. This fuels his obsession to stay on the handsome couple's trail. But since Stan has no real proof, all he can do is travel to the Bahamas, where Lola has persuaded Max to set up a retirement life in a luxury beach condo. Stan watches Max and Lola night and day with no attempt to hide his intentions. The three then engage in all sorts of playful cat-and-mouse games while Max continues to insist he's retired.

Ah, but will Max stay retired when a cruise ship arrives in port, carrying a jewelry exhibit that includes the third and final Napoleon diamond? What do you think?

While on the case, Stan meets and falls for a fellow cop, a spunky Bahamian officer played by Naomie Harris. Stan and Max also become adversarial buddies, as the couples double date and the boys go deep-sea fishing together. Meanwhile, that big diamond sits in the harbor.

Though serviceable, the script offers much implausibility, as well as an ultimately dull and under-explained heist (a major sin in a heist movie). And a few good character actors — particularly the superb Don Cheadle — are given little to do while Stan and Max try to outfox each other. And although the film score is by the highly regarded Lalo Schifrin (of "Mission: Impossible" fame), there isn't a particularly memorable musical hook in it.

But, oh my, Hayek does wonders for a skimpy two-piece bathing suit and I'm sure other folks were thrilled with Brosnan's frequent moments sans shirt.

Rated PG-13, violence, profanity, sex.