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8 July 1999 Edition

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Cinema: Connery cashes in

Summer is here. It brings sun, tourists and the traditional blockbuster. The first to be unleashed on us this year is Entrapment, which fulfils all the criteria - international plot, special effects, thumping music and of course, one or two established box-office thespians. Chief of these is Sean Connery, the greatest actor to espouse Scottish independence since Mel Gibson.

The film begins with the stealing of a priceless Rembrant in New York. At first glance, the evidence points to Robert ``Mac'' MacDougal (Sean Connery), a master art thief. The chief investigator into the crime is Virgina ``Gin'' Baker (former Darling Bud Catherine Zeta-Jones), who is allowed to pursue the resourceful criminal in order to entrap him. Eventually the two form a partnership with the view to perform a daring heist at the stroke of the millennium.

Thereafter, the film is a global trip that encounters suspicion,deception and romance, thus creating a strong sexual chemistry between the two principal characters.

Even though the film captivates, it has flaws, none more so than the attempted American accent of Zeta-Jones. The plot also has a tendency to jump from scene to scene without much explanation.

The characters lack any serious depth and development and only once does Mac explain his actions, by saying ``that he collects art for himself''. At no stage in the film, does the character of Gin explain why she planned the millennium robbery.

However, this not a film made to be analysed. What it lacks in intelligence, it makes up with unlimited suspense and stylish cinematic vistas.

Right to the end, this movie maintains a pace that will capture the attention of its audience, if not making much impression on the `oul grey cells.

An Phoblacht
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