Duplicity - B

In theaters. Rated R, 125 minutes. Trailer.

Writer/Director Tony Gilroy earned my unmitigated respect with Michael Clayton, so I decided the caperish Duplicity was worth the effort. With Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson, and Paul Giamatti (not to mention Robert Elswit as director of photography), the film follows two former CIA agents (Roberts and Owen) as they try to pull off a scam in the private sector by taking advantage of a rivalry between two hygiene companies. Click below for more on an enjoyable Duplicity:

The characters have an interesting history together, and their playful relationship is always undercut by their cons and distrust of others/themselves. Roberts goes way undercover at Company 1 to find out their new product, and Owens works for Company 2 as her handler. Company 1, run by Tom Wilkinson's zen-like CEO, and Company 2, run by Mr. Macho Paul Giamatti, hate each other (the film opens with a great slo-mo fight sequence between the two men) so much that the two see anopneing to exploit. The scam produces lots of tense moments and Oceans-like sequences and flashbacks that mostly work - with a 'surprise' ending.

The chemistry between Roberts and Owen was great. Every scene they share is first-rate - intelligent, funny, and playfully romantic (not usually a compliment coming from me, but it is here). The role players are all fine (lots of Michael Clayton and Syriana alums), but none make a big impact on the film. The film aims low and achieves its mark - a sort of yin to Clayton's yang. The only 'arty' elements I noticed were the ones with Giamatti at the shareholders conference with the large tv behind him. His bravado, spending and attitude all espouse the current sneering 'titans of industry' have in our Depression 2.0 culture. Worth seeing - I am so disenchanted with the current theater crop I can barely find the energy (as has been reflected in my amazing lack of posts lately).