Review of The Double (2014) by Foxgrove — 08 May 2014

The Double is consistently fascinating enough not to be considered a bad film, but is also too frustratingly opaque to be a really good one. Set in a dark futuristic society the film reminded me of both Gilliam's 'Brazil' and Polanski's 'The Tenant'.

It is a small ambitious film, Orwellian in tone, in which the production achievements belie its low budget. The cinematography is amazing in depicting atmosphere which in turn compliments the claustrophobically dark sets.

The music also perfectly judges the film's mood. Jesse Eisenberg, possibly envying Armie Hammer's dual role in 'The Social Network', now finds himself with a doppelganger all his own, albeit not a twin.

He gives a committed performance which is actually quite mesmerising to behold. He is well supported by Mia Wasikowski (who is a lot better than usual) and an assortment of character actors in very small parts only some of whom are recognisable.

I particularly liked Paddy Considine, and it's also good to see Cathy Moriarty again. Director Richard Ayoade adds the occasional eye catching visual flourish and some of the writing is very good, but as a whole the script is as uneven as the film is obscure.

Ultimately it fails to be as good as it could have been because one is left somewhat perplexed by it all.