"Duplicity" *** (out of ****)Of course it's true they don't make 'em like they use to (the talent simply isn't around any more) but they do try now and then. Tony Gilroy's "Duplicity" (2009) is one of the more recent attempts.
Most readers are probably already aware of who Mr. Gilroy is. He directed the critically acclaimed "Michael Clayton" (2007), which even I praised as one of the year's best films. Here Mr. Gilroy gives us another film which plays around with time structure but goes for comedy. For the most part the film works.
If you think about "Duplicity" long enough, soon you'll be asking questions. Generally that is a bad idea to ask questions when watching a movie. They usually don't have answers. Plus filmmakers don't really want us to think. They want us to shut off our brains and enjoy the show. But what makes "Duplicity" work is some fine dialogue written by Gilroy and the charm of the two lead actors; Julia Roberts and Clive Owen.
As I watched this film I couldn't help but think what if this film was made back in the 1930s. Oh, in the hands of the right director and with the right stars this material could have been turned into a masterpiece. Think if William Powell and Joan Crawford played the leads. Something similar to their wonderful film "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" (1937).
Roberts and Owen play two undercover agents who work for the CIA and the MIG. They meet, not knowing who the other is, spend the night together, only for Owen, who plays Ray Koval, to find out some classified material he had is now missing, the girl is gone and he was drugged. Roberts is Claire Stenwick (supposedly named after Barbara Stanwyck). She's not really what I would consider a femme fatale, but, you'll want to watch your back around her.
Without revealing too much, these people eventually learn who the other was and fall in love. They devise a plan which will become their last big scheme. "Duplicity" is an extremely manipulative film. It is full of twist and turns. In the hands of David Mamet I don't mind that. In fact I look forward to it. Gilroy isn't quite at that same level. He is a fine writer but oddly enough the screenplay sometimes feels as if it is going through the motions. We kinda, sorta know what to expect even if we don't have all the details figured out. We get the feeling we are being taken for a ride. Still, as I already said, the actors do a lot with the material. Credit should be given to them.
Roberts and Owen know the heist genre pretty well. Owen was in the exciting "The International" (2009) earlier this year with Naomi Watts and Roberts of course was in the "Ocean" movies. In supporting roles we have Tom Wilkinson, who was nominated for an Oscar for Gilroy's "Michael Clayton" and Paul Giamatti as rival business heads. They add a lot to the picture. I just wish Wilkinson had more screentime.
"Duplicity" is one of those movies that has events which happen which will leave you saying "only in the movies". Sometimes that is a good thing. It makes us forget the real world and supplies us with something different. This isn't a great movie but it is watchable.
"Julia" *** 1\2 (out of ****)
Tilda Swinton is one of my favorite actresses. I often feel we have better female actors than male actors working today. Think of Naomi Watts, Heather Graham, Laura Linney, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman. All of them rank among my favorites. And Swinton is just as good as any of them. Here in "Julia" she goes for broke.
Most actresses wouldn't want to play "Julia". It would be too much of a challenge for them. Maybe only the ladies I have already mentioned would tackle the role. It would take someone with discipline and a devil may care attitude. Julia is a drunk. Every time we see her she is drinking, passing out and sleeping with strangers. But, that is only the beginning of her nightmare. That was the easy part believe it or not. Events will soon become much more complicated and go beyond her control.
"Julia" (2009) is a film which came out back in July, played in only a few theatres and didn't make much of a splash at the box-office. There wasn't much of an advertise campaign for it. I remember when it was released but, it was in and out of theatres so fast, I simply didn't have time to see it. What a mistake opportunity for the studio. Here is one of the great performances of the year and the studio heads are just sitting on it. Tilda Swinton deserves an Oscar nomination for this performance but her chances of getting it are nill. Who has seen this movie to give her attention?
Some people might think "Julia" is an art-house film. Originally that is what I thought and to be completely honest, that is why I wanted to see it. However it is a thriller. "Julia" is the movie for people who didn't like "Taken" (2009) the big hit earlier this year with Liam Neeson. Ah, now maybe I've told you too much. If you've seen "Taken" now your mind is starting to work trying to figure out how does "Julia" relate.
But "Taken" isn't the only thing you can compare "Julia" to. Try John Cassavettes "Gloria" (1980). At one point in the film Julia, trying to hide her identity says her name is Gloria. And now I've pretty much let the cat out of the bag.
Julia attends AA meetings. There she meets Elena (Kate del Castillo). Elena tells Julia a story about her son, whom she no longer sees because he is living with her father. The grandfather will not allow Elena to see her son. As a result of this Elena wants to kidnap her son but needs Julia's help. She will pay her handsomely for her help. And with Julia just getting fired, she needs all the money she can get.
But Erick Zonca, the film's writer and director, has many, many tricks up his sleeve. The film is full of backstabbing and deceit. With Julia going through a sort of cliche transformation. The character simply couldn't have remained the same from beginning to the end. Audiences would not accept such a thing. I cannot discuss it any further.
This is one of Swinton's great roles. Most people had discovered her after her wonderful performance in "The Deep End" (2001). I liked that movie a lot. But it wasn't until I saw her in "Young Adam" (2004) that I really became a fan. I've seen nearly all of her films since "The War Zone" (1999) on. She is a very brave actress. With her performances here and in "Stephanie Daley" (2007) she really raises the bar for herself. Oddly enough she won the Oscar for "Michael Clayton", perhaps her most conventional role. "Julia" is what deserves an Oscar.
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