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These days, it’s getting more difficult to find a movie that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Among the many mindless movies in theaters today, it’s refreshing to find one that is clever and original. “Duplicity” succeeds as a smart spy caper that is as delightful as it is witty.
Ray Koval (Clive Owen) and Claire Stenwick (Julia Roberts) are corporate spies whose lives have intertwined over the years. After a series of steamy hook-ups, the two meet again to plan a con to end all cons. As they attempt to pull off the plan of the century, they are met with unexpected obstacles. The result is a whirlwind plot filled with witty repartee and surprising turns.
Owen and Roberts have a believable chemistry and play off of each other well. Owen’s overly confident swagger mixed with Roberts’ cool sophistication makes for a sexy and exciting on-screen pairing. They demand the audience’s attention as they swing in and out of each other’s lives. The dynamic between them is intriguingly complicated by the fact that they are predisposed to mistrust each other. Although they have a credible magnetism, more could have been done to show the affection between them. The relationship, while heated and interesting, is a bit hollow.
“Duplicity” somewhat echoes the spy flicks of the ’40s, with its snappy dialogue and the classic couple who carry the film. It keeps viewers on their toes with the somewhat choppy back-and-forth editing and time jumping. At times the film snails along when it could have kept up the pace. The pulse-pounding conclusion almost makes up for the rest of the film’s tendency to lag.
Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson play two rival corporate hotshots and serve as great entertainment, particularly in the opening credits. Their performances add a level of finesse to the high stakes battle in the backdrop of Ray and Claire’s complicated courtship.
This film is reminiscent of “Ocean’s Eleven” and its sequels, with its cleverness and elaborate schemes. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as entertaining and leacks the support of other actors who made the “Ocean” series so great. “Duplicity” is missing a little something. Whether it’s the lazy script or the weak plot is hard to tell. Despite its downfalls, “Duplicity” remains a fun little romp and is worth seeing, if only for the cat-and-mouse antics and the dynamite between Owen and Roberts.
Grade: B
