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DVD Review: Duplicity By Richard W. Kozak, Jr.  |
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Did you ever go to college with the one guy who knew/thought he was so intelligent he would deliberately try to sabotage a lecture or class discussion with a self-promoting filibuster in the attempts of impressing no one in particular? Maybe the first few times, the class might appreciate the attempt at self-expression, but as the semester trudged on, most realized the pontifications were nothing more than an exercise of self-love.
The same could be said about the recent DVD release of Julia Roberts’ aptly called “Duplicity.” Director Tony Gilroy who so successfully navigated the “Bourne” series chock full of international intrigue does his best to demonstrate to his audience, “Look how smart I am!” Unfortunately, Gilroy makes the tragic mistake many an elementary school English teacher have warned legions of third graders, “Remember your audience.”
I know I’m not nearly as cerebral as Gilroy, but my first reaction after the first 20 minutes of the film was a resounding, “Er…ah…um…er…ah…huh?” The chronology of the film while trying to be slick is confusing. The timeline hopping and repetitive banter is confusing rather than witty and destroys any chance of chemistry between lovelorn industrial spies played by Julia Roberts and Clive Owen.
Even the cinematography is choppy. Think Ang Lee’s “The Hulk”, any of the “Austin Powers” films, and re-runs of the 1970’s television show “Manix” all meandering for two hours and five minutes. Audiences must have had similar experiences because after a decent opening weekend at the box office, the star laden film including Paul Giamatti barely grossed $ 40 million or just enough to cover Julia’s contract, I suppose.
“Duplicity” is not a bad film, but it is exceedingly boring. More cerebral, I gather, than car crashes and electronic gadgets, but endlessly plodding.
Finally, a conclusion is brought about, and you’ll care little or less.
“Duplicity” is a confusing mess and earns 2 out of 5 briefcases.
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