Hola all. Massawyrm here.
Wow. Easily the best non-Oscar holdover film released this quarter, Tony Gilroy’s sophomore directorial effort DUPLICITY continues his trend as an exceedingly gifted filmmaker hellbent on exposing the evils of the corporate world. It is an incredible film, a brilliantly layered love story wrapped around a note perfect Heist film with all the sharp catchy banter you’d expect from a Soderbergh Ocean’s movie, but with none of the fluff. Unbelievably smart, this film never relies upon formula and continually surprises you, right on through to its killer ending.
Clive Owen and Julia Roberts once again earn their reputations and deliver an incredible amount of chemistry in this twisted, yet endearing love story. They play dueling agents, an unlikely pair brought together through their jobs and given the opportunity to use their talents for an incredible gain. But as they delve deeper and deeper into the world of corporate espionage, it becomes murky as to who is actually running a game on whom. And as the two continually test one another, they are forced to ask whether or not they should be involved in a relationship with someone as treacherous and dubious as themselves.
Unlike Gilroy’s previous film, MICHAEL CLAYTON, the film focuses upon very likable bad guys. Sure, when you look at everyone in this film and boil them down, every last one of them is a backstabbing piece of shit. Just like in MICHAEL CLAYTON. But Gilroy playfully makes you adore each of them for their quirks and charisma as much as you love them for cleverness. The dialog is razor sharp, the characters crisp and refreshing and the pacing spot on. You get information only when it is the most poignant to the story, when its revelation expands your understanding of the depth of the con/heist and the relationship growing out of it.
It is a film so perfect, so tightly constructed that I dare not spoil a single second of it. The opening will grab you and the credit sequence will set you up for the comedy to follow. Because this is a comedy. It is fun. And while I hesitate to call it a dark comedy, it certainly isn’t bright and shiny. But it will send you out of the theater with a smile on your face, punch drunk off of the excellence of such an original and well crafted film. Every time you think you have this figured out and predict what will happen next, the film sharply turns, leaving you constantly unsure of where you are headed next – and just as it settles down again WHAM! You’re blindsided.
This film is incredible, simply incredible. A mature, wonderful, elegantly told tale that will cement Gilroy in the minds of the film loving public as one of the up and coming greats, DUPLICITY is this season’s unexpected surprise. Gilroy’s last film was criminally underseen (despite the best efforts of those involved) and I find this film to be stronger, instantly rewatchable and far and away better. You must, must, must see this at your earliest opportunity.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
Got something for the Wyrm? Mail it here.
