Review of Duplicity (2009) by Ryan J — 24 Dec 2009

If you want to watch the same 3 scenes repeat on loop for over 2 hours, definitely check this one out. And hey, they get more dense and muddled with each go-round, so... it almost feels new.

Gilroy has filled his script with on-and-off charming characters occupying space in a story that, when it lowers its pseudo-clever obtuse wall of structurelessness and decides it cares whether or not it makes sense, widdles down to about 30 minutes of a recycled plot that's been hackneyed for half a century. It starts off likeable enough, though awkwardly, and slowly but ever so surely fades away until there is nothing left to taste but the minutes ticking away. And you convince yourself, that final reveal -- you know, the one everyone knows is coming, that moment of catharsis -- is just going to make it all come together. But, alas, to say it doesn't is an understatement. We've seen good stuff from Gilroy, but this is just pedstrian. Much like its audience during the long, predictable pull back that leads us to the inevitable and welcomed end of the film, the writing is just tired.