Review of Duplicity (2009) by Sean M — 13 Jan 2010

Sure the unanticipated twists & turns during the third acts of movies have been duplicated in the past, but there was something real suave about the one in "Duplicity" that had its own distinct style. Writer-Director Tony Gilroy's "Duplicity" stars Julia Roberts as Claire Stenwick and Clive Owen as Ray Koval. I hate to divulge much information on who Claire & Ray are because that would duplicate spoiler trouble for me in my "too much information" film reviews; and I do not want to ruin "Duplicity" for you also. I will say that Claire & Ray each represent competing skin care corporations whose CEOs will go to the deep end to be the premier "we sell products to look good" biz in the marketplace. I will also spill that one of them has a huge mole! No, it is not Julia's one below her eye, but the other mole I am referring to is that Julia or Clive's character is playing the undercover mole game. Moreover, Ray & Claire both mutually partake in the other "under-the-covers" bedroom game sporadically throughout the flick. Gilroy, who also helmed "Michael Clayton", did successfully orchestrate another creative business caper here; even though I caught more on to Clayton. "Duplicity" does require your complete attention for it to magnetize to your cerebral cortex, so try not to duplicate distractive behaviors during your viewing. My favorite aspect of "Duplicity" is the sophisticated screen chemistry of Clive Owen & Julia Roberts. Team Clijul is very cool! They originated their General Chemistry in "Closer" and advanced it to Organic Chemistry here. OK, I am not chemically well-balanced so forgive me for what you just read. Duplicity's solid supporting acting company from the always scene-stealer Paul Giamatti and the seasoned thespian Tom Wilkinson as the competitive corporations CEOs were also assets to the film's success. But I go back to the Pretty Woman and The Croupier, Team Clijul, whose duplicative turn on screen together is why I think the film is worth at least one duplicative viewing.

**** Good.