As if Salma Hayek's bikini didn't have enough of a burden to carry, director Brett Ratner uses it to brace up a flabby plot in After The Sunset. Unfortunately the combo of exotic lady and exotic location fails to distract from varying and unsuccessful attempts to blend romance and comedy with half-hearted heist intrigue. Hayek also has trouble livening up co-star Pierce Brosnan who looks as though he accidentally sleepwalked onto the set after a late night luau.
Woody Harrelson is the life and soul of the party as goofy FBI agent Stan, who's spent most of his career pursuing jewel thieves Max (Pierce Brosnan) and Lola (Salma Hayek). Having made their "last big score" - and humiliated Stan in the process - they retire to the Bahamas, but their romance quickly hits the rocks when Max is tempted by a precious diamond being exhibited on a nearby cruise ship.
"THE SMELL OF DESPERATION BECOMES OVERPOWERING"
Inevitably Stan shows up on the island convinced the twosome are planning to pilfer the gem, while local copper Sophie (an underused Naomie Harris) breathes down his neck at every turn. Luckily he enjoys the attention, but as love blossoms between Sophie and Stan, Lola and Max are driven further apart.
Although Ratner strives for the quirky characters and clever plotting of an Elmore Leonard caper, After The Sunset is lost in the shadow. Harrelson's bumbling detective is fun for a while but the smell of desperation becomes overpowering when, through a series of clumsy set-ups, he's mistaken for Brosnan's gay lover. The continuous shifting between crime thriller and romantic comedy is also awkward, partly because the relationship between Hayek and Brosnan is peppered with false moments. Ironically these are designed to speed up the heist plot, which moves like a turtle through quicksand nonetheless. As surely as the sun will set, this flick will sink into obscurity.
After The Sunset (2004)
