Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • April 1, 2009
‘Duplicity’ features romantic gamesmanship
by Dennis Seuling From the outset, let me state that I love Julia Roberts. Her smile absolutely makes me melt and just looking at her on screen for a couple of hours is a treat. Since she has not been in a major Hollywood movie since “Charlie Wilson’s War” in 2007, it was great to see her in “Duplicity,” an intriguing, cat-and-mouse caper romance. “Duplicity” is more about style than content. There is a plot in this cinematic puzzle, but the screenplay is filled not only with twists and turns, but reversals on what has been perceived. The viewer must pay close attention to dialogue and flashbacks that show how the main characters have come to the present. Those characters are Claire (Roberts), a CIA operative, and Ray (Clive Owen), an MI6 agent. They have a history. Once upon a time, they had a romantic tryst, after which Claire drugged Ray and stole highly classified documents in his possession. He has been embarrassed about it ever since. Now, years later, they meet again. Both are very good at their profession, which now has more to do with corporate espionage than spying on foreign countries. Clearly, they are attracted to each other, but their line of work and past resentments make them automatically distrustful. They examine each other’s motives as frequently as they sip champagne. Still, when they get wind that a cosmetics company will be rolling out an amazing new product, they team up to infiltrate the company, steal the secret formula, and sell it to a competitor. Not knowing exactly what the product is further complicates matters. “Duplicity” has a 21st century slickness but is reminiscent of spy comedies of the 1960s such as “Charade” and “Arabesque.” Both Claire and Ray are witty, in love, and often at odds. There is an infectious airiness to the
Clive Owen and Julia Roberts star in ‘Duplicity.’
movie, wonderful chemistry between Roberts and Owen, and a briskness of editing that gives viewers little time to think about who is doing what to whom. It is easy to end up misled while under the impression one is having no trouble following the plot. Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti play the rival corporate heads who hate each other on a personal level and live for the moment that each can embarrass the other publicly. The film opens with the two CEOs facing off, their private corporate jets looming behind them as they rush toward each other in slow motion and awkwardly grapple and flail as their respective entourages watch in utter disbelief. This exercise in excess by director Tony Gilroy establishes longstanding, deep-seated, mutual abhorrence. Watching these two middle-aged, impeccably suited corporate titans roll around on a rain-soaked tarmac is a comic high
point. Owen channels a bit of Cary Grant with a touch of Sean Connery for good measure. He does not imitate those actors, but his style is similar in his “handling” of an independent woman he loves. She can be frustrating, but he is devoted and will overcome one obstacle after another to remain with her. There are not so many gag lines as there are whole scenes that elicit a smile. The way these two pros thrust and parry with dialogue is like verbal ballet, and it is delightful. Rated PG-13 for language and sexual content, “Duplicity” is a clever film. It does not just roll over you while the viewer sits passively. Listen carefully, be alert, enjoy the repartee, and pay attention to supporting characters. This movie will provoke a good deal of spirited discussion afterwards.
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