After the Sunset was an all-around-fun heist flick with the usual degree of unlikely events. The crinkled brow and “that can’t really happen” frown were offset by the surprisingly well-developed theme -a rare jewel for a heist, con, or action flick. I also had my share of legitimate chuckles throughout the movie. Admittedly, I went into the theater expecting the sequel to the Thomas Crown Affair. Although it came close, this film went beyond the lively banter and tricky technical illusions (which the audience is supposed to swallow in the absence of actual knowledge), and actually dug into a topic which anyone can relate to: the stressful life of a driven “Type A” personality.

Click to enlargeFrom the get-go, Max Burdett (Pierce Brosnan) and Lola Cirillo (Salma Hayek) have a conflict of interest. While attempting to retire, these two lovers/diamond thieves suffer at the hands of their opposing personalities and desires. After eating lobster for the thousandth time in their new “retirement community” (a tropical paradise), Max suffers from perpetual boredom and the insatiable lust for a new challenge. Lola enjoys every moment of decadent living and frequently implores Max to settle down into their new life by writing his vows. A third party, Agent Stanley P. Lloyd (Woody Harrelson), introduces the character-bending challenge when he brings news to Max of the third Napoleon diamond arriving in port aboard a cruise ship. Although Max had not originally intended to steal it, the temptation begins to overshadow his life.

Click to enlargeThe plot soon develops into a story about the things people chase in life and the lengths to which they will go to obtain those elusive treasures. What are the treasures for these characters? For Max, it’s the challenge of a new conquest. After all, he already has everything money can afford. For Lola, it’s living a simple life, enjoying the subtle pleasures each day has to offer, and watching sunsets on the porch. Stan, whose treasure is to repair his damaged pride at any cost, acknowledges a fundamental difference in the way people perceive life.

Click to enlargeStan divides the world into two halves, those who can enjoy sunsets and those who cannot. The idea is that those who take time to enjoy sunsets find their treasure in living each day to the fullest. They live in a place of contentment no matter what life brings. Sunset-lovers are not driven by financial status, career success, or the new car in the neighbor’s driveway. It is enough to enjoy what they have today. Those who cannot enjoy sunsets, however, spend their lives chasing after the next thing, whatever that happens to be. Whether the next rung of the ladder calls them, boredom drives them, or a challenge awaits them, Type A personalities do not settle for “whatever comes my way.” They go out and seek what they want, pouring their very lives into treasure hunting instead of treasure spending.

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