Duplicity
Duplicity brings about a tremendous chemistry between actors Julia Roberts and Clive Owen but the viewer and the characters may wonder if it is a romantic bliss or their unknown wicked plans!
The actors play Claire and Ray who are CIA and M16 secret agents respectively who are on an Assignment in Dubai. Eventually, Claire spends a night with Ray and alas, she robs the secret documents from him. They join a private firm to spy on each other; they take up posts in two competing shampoo companies. And their only goal is to protect and steal the secret formula.
The movie runs quite parallel to the Mad Magazine’s series called Spy vs. Spy, of course, the movie is more complicated. The movie literally glides on the principle of farce; what seems to be real is actually not and this element in fact makes the film more interesting. Although one thing is for sure; the constant lust that exists between them and a probable emotion of love, which lingers around them.
But in between all this complex entanglement their goal remains unchanged; they want to plan together and steal the formula, sell it for a good price in Switzerland and take equal portions of the booty. Not to forget their secret desire to explore each other for the rest of their lives.
Claire and Ray know each other so well that trust does not have any place in their thought process. Their characters are well etched by director Tony Gilroy; the emotional catch-me-if-you-can theme is written almost to perfection. The characters of Claire and Ray will make the audience wonder as to whether they will ever fall in love because they are shown to be least emotional.
Mentally both of them are fine-tuned with their intentions and obviously there is no scope to fool around or playing games is certainly out of question. The concept of love existing between them logically seems impossible at least after learning that the two are constantly reading each other’s mind.
By the time the movie reaches its climax you will know what has happened if not the entire thing though, still it keeps you interested. The well-scripted script plot has an upper hand over the romantic theme. And that leaves Julia Roberts short of exhibiting her lovability.
The other key roles played by Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti as the shampoo company bosses deserve applause. Julia is hilarious in her character as a travel agent.
Duplicity has a complicated plot but it is definitely entertaining without a doubt. The verbal spar between Roberts and Owen adds to the actual fun; they are constantly spying on each other’s mind with stern faces and that will certainly draw your attention.
The corporate game to out beat the other is mind blowing. You will know why all the Wall Street executives draw such hefty amounts but the two of them aim to steal more than one could ever imagine. Both Owen and Julia Roberts steal the show and your hearts for sure.
The film is rated as PG-13 for the explicit language and some erotic content.
Film: Duplicity
Cast: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti, Tom McCarthy, Denis O’Hare
Director: Tony Gilroy
Writer: Tony Gilroy
Running time: 2 hours and 5 minutes
Rating: 3/5
Posted on Friday, March 27th, 2009 at 2:20 pm