Duplicity Review
by Homer Yen (homeryen88 AT gmail DOT com)March 21st, 2009
"Duplicity" - The Electricity is Static
by Homer Yen
(c) 2009
"Duplicity" is probably too clever for its own good. What should comprise the film's focus-of-fun isn't necessarily the switchback course the story takes. It isn't the smoldering tension between our two A-listers (Clive Owen and Julia Roberts). What should be the film's focus-of-fun is the intense hatred that two rival pharmaceutical company CEOs have for one another (played by Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti). The opening of the film features those two running in the rain from opposite sides of a tarmac with brimstone in their eyes. It's the kind of scene that, in a way, made the WWE so entertaining.
Unfortunately, this is the only time that we see the two interact together. And, oddly, for a movie about corporate spies and multi-million dollar secrets and a New York City setting, this first scene is the only scene that showcases any violence, if you can even call 50-year old men shoving to be a form of violence. To ensure their dominance in their industry, the CEOs let the Corporate Intelligence departments of their respective companies engage in a battle of wits. One company (headed by Wilkerson with Roberts on his side) needs to protect their secret. The other (headed by Giamatti with Owens on his side) wants to steal it. Now, this is probably a logical delegation of duties. But, the focus of the war-of-wits seems misplaced. The fun is watching Batman go against the Joker. It's not watching Robin go against the Joker's assistant. The fun is watching Jay Leno and Dave Letterman assert themselves. It's not watching Kevin Eubanks square off against Paul Schaffer.
Yet, thanks to the star wattage of Roberts and Owen, these two good-looking 40-somethings are always endearing when they are on the screen together. Their characters were once operatives (she of the CIA and he of Mi6). Now, they work as competing spies, as mentioned above. I'm sure that it was refreshing for America's Sweetheart to have a little fun in the world of corporate espionage. The closest we've seen Roberts to this kind of role is when she starred alongside George Clooney in "Ocean's 11" (btw, that was a far more engaging film about duplicity). And, I'm sure that it was a relief for Clive Owen (after roles in "The International" and "Shoot-em Up") to be able to take a break from stressful thrillers to take on a romantic lead.
In flashbacks, we see that they both shared intimate times together. But given their line of work, they can't really trust each other. And, they basically know how each other thinks. This hampers the romantic aspect of the film from blossoming. Since they are really perfect for each other, there's no romantic risk or that flash of OMG-I-love-you discovery. And, most frustrating, it minimizes Roberts's (with those lively eyes and sincere smile) ability to joyously burst forth with her sunny radiance.
You could certainly do worse than watching these two lovebirds go at it in their personal and professional lives. And, I was awed at the amount of resources that go into corporate spying (rigged photocopying machines, mapping out parking lot utilization patterns, etc...). In this film, duplicity takes front seat to innovation. Maybe this kind of film would've worked better in the power-hungry/money-everywhere environment of the 90s. Today, with corporate responsibility tantamount to US economic viability, the film feels a little out of touch.
Grade: C+
S: 2 out of 3
L: 1 out of 3
V: 0 out of 3
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