Review of The Double (2011) by Andy S — 11 May 2013

A decent espionage thriller is something to behold; the majority of the Bond films are a case in point. This, however, falls into the category of 'Nice idea that didn't quite work'. I will keep it briefer than normal because this one is quite easy to sum up, but you don't escape my very brief summary first.

We begin with a Russian agent, Bozlovski (Tamer Hassan) being smuggled into the US via Mexico. There's then a plot about a series of seven Russian agents, headed by a character known as Cassius. Six of them were killed by CIA Agent Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere) and Cassuis had mysteriously disappeared. When a US Senator is killed using methods used by Cassius, alarm bells begin to ring. A young FBI Agent, Ben Geary (Topher Grace) is brought in and paired with Shepherdson, after much protest. They set off to track down Cassius, but he is much closer to home. And just what does Bozlovski have to do with all this?

First off, all the performances were very good; I only wish the same could be said for the script. The plot wanders about; giving away very key information far too early (IMO) and taking all the mystery out of it for me. Yes, there is a twist at the end, but by that time I'm just pissed off with it. It's well shot with most of the action taking place in and around Washington DC. It was nice to see Martin Sheen as CIA director Tom Highland; it was kinda odd seeing him in Washington & not being the President. Over all, a film that failed to live up to expectations; I know which direction I would have taken it in and that would have been a much better story.

SteelMonster's verdict: NOT RECOMMENDED.

My score: 5.7/10.