Life Imitates Art...

My most favorite playwright Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life”.   This expression couldn’t be more true when it comes to the masterful way that creators of the film The Thomas Crown Affair, incorporate major works of art. 

"The Son of Man" 1964 by Rene Magritt

 

The rhythmic music of Nina Simone’s song Sinner Man, creates the anticipation and momentum as the major finale of the movie sees an all powerful and art loving thief protagonist Thomas Crown replacing a stolen work of art. He along with many long overcoat and bowler hat dressed men fill the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, all to outsmart the police.

This direct nod to the painting entitled “The Son of Man” by Rene Magritte is a whimsical and artistic way to bring this self-portrait to life.  As in the painting where the face of the man is obscured by a hovering green apple, so too are the faces of the many men trying to evade discovery of the real perpetrator by a crowded room of people.

I believe it is cinematic genius, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!