Review: Duplicity (2009)

[Homer Yen]

"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