It is not fair to either film to compare this remake to the original 1968 version of The Thomas Crown Affair. Each has different strengths and weaknesses. The original focused more on the relationship between the two main characters; the remake focuses more on the game of deceit and sleight of hand. Thomas Crown is a thrill-seeking millionaire, and this time he has his eye on a painting.

The stars, Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, are very watchable; I could watch them in nearly anything, and this type of movie -- featuring heists and con games -- tends to appeal to me. I love navigating multiple layers of schemes and illusions, and this movie has a lot of that to offer. So perhaps my affection for The Thomas Crown Affair is more subjective than usual. But I enjoyed it very much and reflect on it fondly, and when a movie can do that for me, it doesn't much matter to me why it was able.