'After the Sunset' best suited to home video

Its by-the-numbers, pedantic storyline and often-stilted dialogue keep it from reaching the heights of the abovementioned works.

But it is not without charm, due mostly to a stellar ensemble cast and the Dante Spinotti’s cinematography, which pays homage to the predecessors in this film’s style.

For guilty pleasures, there is something for everyone.

Eye candy

Pierce Brosnan is a sexy, suave leading man who never takes himself – or his roles – too seriously.

He looks great and has a knack for being somewhat good-naturedly cynical.

Salma Hayek, at age 36, still boasts the stereotypical template of the ultimate female form.

Ratner plays the sexy angle all the way, and it’s a gambit that fits the genre.

Hayek is a good actress as well. Along with the endless cleavage and rear-end shots, she manages to execute a believable character.

Woody Harrelson, everyone’s favorite doofus from “Cheers,” turns in a rare, semi-serious performance.

The clumsy dialogue notwithstanding, I still never took him seriously in this role. Despite his character in “Natural Born Killers,” I’ll always think of him as Woody from “Cheers.”

Brosnan is Max Burdett, a compulsive jewel thief who has lifted two of the three “Napoleon diamonds.”

His partner – in love and crime – is Lola Cirillo (Hayek.)

After stealing the second Napoleon in a fast-paced scene that occurs before the opening credits, Lola is bent on retirement, and she and Max retreat to the Caribbean, buy a house and settle down.

She has plenty of outside interests. She takes up scuba diving, sailing and all manner of leisure activities for the scantily clad. Max, who has grown a scraggly beard, is not so happy with retirement.

He’s restless. In the grand tradition of this kind of film, it’s Lola’s job to keep reminding him that they have retired, and he needs to give up his addiction to stealing jewels.

The matter is made worse when a luxury cruise ship stops at the island.

On board is a jewel collection featuring the third, and last, of the Napoleon diamonds.

This brings FBI agent Stan Lloyd (Harrelson) on the scene.

He has been disgraced by Max several times in the past, and while he’s not on official FBI business, he uses his credentials to insinuate himself into the local law enforcement agency in order to keep his eye on Max.

Lola is worried, and Max is chomping at the bit.

The second act of the film turns to a “buddy movie” formula in which Max and Stan become pals. Max treats Stan to all the pleasures of the island life and tries to convince him he has given up his former occupation.

Stan milks the situation for all it’s worth, but he still believes Max will not resist the temptation of stealing the last Napoleon diamond.

Plot twists

There are a few plot twists, including Don Cheadle’s showing up as an expatriate American gangster who is slowly but surely taking control of crime on the island. He wants to employ Max to steal the Napoleon, and the relationship here is one of the major subplots of the film.

Another involves Stan’s interest in a local cop played by Naomie Harris, last seen in “The Day After Tomorrow.”

Their affair is a paint-by-numbers plot device, but Harris is an interesting actress who gives some weight to her part.

The final act – the heist, the twist and the resolve – is completely predictable. But director Ratner executes it well.

Nothing new, but OK

“After the Sunset” has absolutely nothing new to offer, but it’s an entertaining, if banal, diversion. I recommend it be viewed at home when it’s released on the video market.

If nothing else, its tropical setting and the steaminess of Hayek and Brosnan will warm up a cold winter night in front of the TV.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.

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