After a great first film, Michael Clayton, I could see why Tony Gilroy would want to take on a breezier subject, but Duplicity is one of those films in which you’ll shake your head, realizing that it is a film that was almost a great film. I think Gilroy is incredibly talented and one day he is going to be an elite director (he’s already a great screenwriter). I think he just out-twisted the film thus making it a boring film. Too smart for it’s own good?

Gilroy has a lot of fun with the idea of two rival companies trying to out do each other in a game of one-up man-ship, reteaming Clive Owen and Julia Roberts from Closer. That was perhaps one of the few recent films that I enjoyed Roberts in. I feel as if she plays all of her characters in this past decade as cold. Or maybe it’s her ego? I never feel as if she is a character, rather than “look, it’s Julia Roberts as insert blank”. She’s smug, for sure, and while she is trying to have fun, playing a CIA agent trying to dupe the company she works for, she comes off cold.

Paul Giamatti is having a lot of fun; Clive Owen shifts right through scenes, and the editing makes the film seems jazzier than it should be. I did appreciate the final twist even though you’ll see it coming (if you’re paying attention to the film and not your watch). I just can’t believe how boring most of this was. Great actors, a good script, and it just sizzled midway through. The best scene in the film is this imaginary fight between the two CEOs of the rival companies early on, setting us up for the rest of the film. If only Roberts and Owen had that type of chemistry, maybe the film would’ve been more alive. They kiss and fight. It’s odd too that their chemistry isn’t there. Some of my favorite scenes in Closer involve them.

The character I enjoyed most is James Newton Howard’s lively score. He knew what the film should feel like; it’s just a shame that Gilroy convoluted most of this idea, making it sag when it should’ve popped. Owen’s character says numerous times in the film, “Don’t leave me disappointed.” I was saying the same thing. Next time Mr. Gilroy, next time.

Rating:

Tags: Clive Owen, closer, Duplicity, Julia Roberts, michael clayton, paul giamatti, Tony GIlroy