A steamy Salma Hayek, a few comic situations, lush scenery and a fairly intriguing first 20 minutes do not save After The Sunset from fast descending into a starless night -- or, shall we say, rushing to video and DVD versions?

Director Brett Ratner has made interesting films like Rush Hour and Red Dragon but doesn't have much of a prayer with this heist film.

Shot with a colourful Caribbean background, its plot is too muddled and lacks credibility. Hayek's curves can only give the film an initial boost, but word of mouth could hurry its collapse, especially given the overcrowded market.

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At one point in the film, there is a mention of Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch A Thief. Surely a few viewers must have been washed by nostalgia; some might have been tempted to rush home and watch the classic again. And a few might have recalled The Thomas Crown Affair, a relatively better heist film, also starring Pierce Brosnan, which, even as paling in comparison to the Steve McQueen original, was a medium range hit a few years ago.

Lola (Hayek) and Max (Brosnan) have been living on the fruits of their jewel heist career in obvious style, but Max is getting tired of a life without action. After his last big heist, he had seriously considered retirement but can take the tropical paradise only to a certain extent.  

When FBI agent Stan Lloyd (Woody Harrelson), who has had problems with his department, crosses his path again, Max is tempted. He is also aware that the new adventure could cost him Lola, and even his freedom.

When trouble brews between Lola and Max, the jewel thief lands at Lloyd's resort, and a cat-and-mouse game begins. The two are fun trying to read each other's minds but, after a while, the fun wears thin.

The scenes in which Lloyd tries to romance local constable Sophie (Naomie Harris) are lively for a few minutes, but they too lose their zest.  

While most of the performances are tolerable, Don Cheadle is wasted as the island mobster with designs of his own.

Brosnan has been famously fired from Bond films. But if his choices are going to result in films such as After The Sunset, he seriously needs a career therapist.