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Duplicity (2009)

Director: Tony Gilroy

Time Out rating

Average user rating

32 reviews

Synopsis

Clive Owen and Julia Robert reunite for the first time since ‘Closer’ in this spy caper from Tony Gilroy, the director of ‘Michael Clayton’. The pair star as erstwhile lovers working for rival companies. When they are both assigned to spy on the other company, the pair decide to team up and instigate the ultimate corporate sting on their respective bosses.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Combining the cold corporate intrigue of his directorial debut ‘Michael Clayton’ with the suave, globetrotting antics of the ‘Ocean’s’ series, ‘Duplicity’ marks a move into lighter territory for Oscar-nominated ‘Bourne’ screenwriter Tony Gilroy. When a feud between two pharmaceutical giants threatens to tip over into outright war, ex-MI5 agent Ray Koval (Clive Owen) and his arch rival-cum-romantic interest, CIA counter-intelligence operative Claire Sternwick (Julia Roberts), spot a chance to strike it rich. But who’s double crossing who?

‘Duplicity’ is an enormously entertaining Hollywood escapade, cramming in enough upscale locations, narrative switchbacks and romantic intrigue to keep an audience rapt. But there’s a sneaking suspicion we’ve seen this before: James Newton Howard’s overbearing beats ’n’ strings soundtrack is never more than David Holmes-lite, while both Owen and Roberts seem a little too at ease in this polished world of power suits and snappy repartee.

Gilroy directs with panache, drip-feeding plot details until the big picture emerges. It’s hardly a surprise when it does – this is the sort of film you’re obliged to second guess – but getting there is half the fun. The tension is expertly maintained, wringing maximum suspense out of the most mundane details (including, at one point, a nailbiting hunt for a photocopier). A shame, then, that Gilroy couldn’t have found a way to make us care about these characters: both the leads are so guarded and manipulative, they leave a gaping emotional hole where the heart of this otherwise excellent comic caper ought to be.

Author: Tom Huddleston 2009-03-17 10:32:41

Time Out London Issue 2013 , March 19 - 25, 2009

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User reviews of this film

ALAN said...

Posted on Sep 01 2009 14:05 THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED "WOULD i LIE TO YOU?"
VERY FAR FETCHED

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ronny said...

Posted on Aug 13 2009 22:18 After watching it all the way through on second attempt, I had to add a comment somewhere venting my absolute dismay at the worst film i have probably seen.

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Justin Berkovi said...

Posted on Aug 01 2009 23:45 A dreadful film and I cannot for the life of me wonder why the Time Out reviewer has even bothered to post a serious review of such utter shit. Terrible, hugely disappointing.
Again Owen proves he's a pretty lousy AND lazy actor with the same lazy acting in all his recent films.
It just doesn't work and the music is also so annoying I felt like smashing up my bluray player.

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Richard said...

Posted on Jul 14 2009 15:22 I gave up after about 15 minutes as it didn't seem to be going anywhere. It seemed confused from the beginning and Julia Roberts and Clive Owen seemed to be just going through the motions.

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Roger said...

Posted on Jun 15 2009 18:15 Julia's looks and Clive's voice added with lovely locations and an interesting business plot , I would watch it again !

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Henry Zakumumpa said...

Posted on May 16 2009 10:36 Very entertaining! I know many have given this movie bad reviews but my experience at the cinema told a different story. Julia and Owen pull it off. Its full of twists and turns, terrific screen play and would you believe it?, no violence but a good fun ride. Nothing terribly intelligent. I think the movie is better than the critics give it credit for.

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juliana said...

Posted on Apr 11 2009 10:09 worst movie ever! it was a disaster.. I couldn't believe that i fell asleep 20 mins into the film it was dreadful .. people were walking out cos they were angry.. i managed to sleep all the way through.. good movie for people suffering from insomnia :) they will be cured from their sleep disturbance

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Gerald said...

Posted on Apr 10 2009 22:24 It was less like a film than an extremely long, mildly interesting lecture with a few routine presentations thrown in to keep us going. Saw it in France. Overheard comments included "Il n'y a pas d'action!" and, at the end, "Je n'ai rien compris!" Dead right!!!!

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Liz said...

Posted on Apr 09 2009 23:35 Unbelievably bad! I was really looking forward to this - I love both Julia Roberts and Clive Owen but there was absolutely no spark in either of them and no chemistry between them either. Plot was dreary, unnecessarily complicated and trying to be far too clever. But in fact - a movie about pizza toppings, hair shampoo and corporate theft? No thanks!

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Kate said...

Posted on Apr 08 2009 11:28 To me it was like someone trying to do a 70's style Thomas Crown Affair...all split screens, 70's background music and polish...but then trying to make it clever by throwing in plot twist after twist..after a while the new twists werent clever, they were just dumb. Pretty scenery but totally disappointing.

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Max said...

Posted on Apr 07 2009 21:06 Ugh, just..just awful really, the plot was only slightly confuzing, but it just wasnt gripping at any part. I didt like te strange panning shot and slowed down moments. Left after 45 mins because it just wasnt worth staying, just dont watch it :)
btw- calling it a spyfilm is an insult, i saw no guns and very little side boob :)

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Louise Collinson said...

Posted on Apr 03 2009 14:26 walked out the cinema after 25 mins, was soooo boring!!!!

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Dan said...

Posted on Apr 02 2009 20:59 This is a bad crass and dreary movie!

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bruno said...

Posted on Mar 31 2009 18:29 I went only cos wifey loves Julia.Wot a load of rubbish!

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frans said...

Posted on Mar 30 2009 17:02 This is definitely one of the WORST movies that I have ever seen. The plot is REALLY STUPID - the one shampoo company spying upon the other as if they are the CIA - completely dumb. The action is SLOW, the flashbacks INCOMPREHENSIBLE. So stay home and watch a dvd instead !

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