Duplicity (2009)

If you want to find the best scene in Duplicity, you need look no further than the opening credits. Shown in ultra slow-motion, we’re treated to a verbal and physical confrontation between two of the best supporting actors working today: Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti. The fact that the stars of the film aren’t present in this scene should speak volumes about my viewing experience.

Directed by Tony Gilroy (from his script), Duplicity revolves around the schemes and counter-schemes of two former intelligence agents: Claire Stenwick (Julia Roberts) used to work for the C.I.A., while Ray Koval is a former employee of Britain’s MI-6.

When the two first meet, Claire provides Ray with a night of passion before drugging him and stealing top secret plans from his hotel room. That doesn’t sit well with the British operative, so he bides his time for their inevitable reunion.

Fast forward to the present day, where Ray has gone corporate and is working for Dick Garsik (Giamatti), the CEO of a leading multinational corporation. Garsik’s chief rival is Howard Tully (Wilkinson), a savvy businessman who just so happens to employ Claire. But as we soon find out, Claire and Ray are on the same side, as she’s actually a mole for Garsik.

Can Ray work with the woman who once betrayed him? Will they fall in love? Is everything as it appears to be? Does anyone care?

At a bloated 125 minutes, this story could have been told in a leaner, more straightforward fashion. Instead, we get numerous flashbacks meant to explain the deep history between Claire and Ray. These bring the central narrative to a halt, and they’re not particularly effective at adding texture to the characters. With or without flashbacks, Ray and Claire just aren’t very interesting.

I never got the sense the characters liked one another, either, despite their words and actions to the contrary. By the time the film reached its big payoff–which you should be able to see coming a mile away–I had long since ceased to care.

Labeled as a spy thriller or crime thriller, Duplicity never seems to fit comfortably into either category. There’s no action to speak of, and the “thrills” are few and far between. Only a scene towards the end–in which Claire must send an important document–manages to generate any real tension.

Like the Ocean’s Eleven series, there are numerous scenes where characters explain how various cons or schemes will go down. This becomes tedious after a while, and several are discussed so fast that the motive seems downright confusing. At least Ocean’s Eleven had the courtesy to show you a visual representation of the plan while it was being explained.

Watching Julia Roberts, I was quickly reminded that the actress is now 41-years-old. While she’s still attractive, the days of Pretty Woman are long behind her. Before long, she’s not going to be suitable for this type of role. I know that sounds harsh, but proper casting is part of the formula for a good movie.

Duplicity is a shallow film, offering nothing moviegoers haven’t already seen a million times. While the two leads should be the film’s biggest selling point, their interaction fails to deliver in any meaningful way. Do yourself a favor: watch the opening credits sequence on YouTube, and skip the rest of the film.