"This movie was horrible! Very slow moving with frequent flashbacks which made it difficult to follow the plot. Four of our family members went to see this movie and not one of us liked it! Very disappointing after many of the on-line reviews rated this movie *** stars or higher. And, I categorized this movie as a "drama" because it didn't fit into any other category even though it's being hyped as a "suspenseful and romantic thriller.""

"Duplicity (PG) * * *

Double Trouble

By ROBERT WALDMAN

Just whose screwing who, both literally and figuratively, provides the right tone for the merriment in Duplicity, a savvy romantic adventure comedy from Universal Pictures now shedding light at the Empire Oakridge Cinemas, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.

Keen connoisseurs of the silver screen get a nice tip off about what’s in store in this tale through the writer and director, Tony Gilroy, who was also at the helm of the crowd pleasing Michael Clayton. Even some of the players of that screen classic are brought back into the fold in this wistful look at a couple of spies on the sly. Unlike Michael Clayton, this time George Clooney gets upended by crowd pleasing Clive Owen. Watch the sparks fly between Owen and Roberts who play opposite numbers in a rather complex tale of crime, greed and spying.

Global locations dominate this adventure as does a rather deceptive time line. Through those foreign locales you feel like you’re actually in a spy thriller of the caliber of the James Bond films. Owen plays an MI6 type agent named Ray Koval while Roberts gets top billing as the sly Claire Stenwick, she with a CIA background. Somehow these two meet up, grow apart and then reunite. Together both rogues are busy safeguarding some corporate interests. Believing that there’s the potential to cash in on their contacts the pair spring a trap to take advantage of a rather lucrative situation. Little do they know of the pitfalls that lay in their wait.

Smart, sassy and certainly lively, Duplicity is a thoroughly enjoyable two hour film. Unfortunately, the complexities of what’s happening may confuse some onlookers. Where the film gains all of its strength is some truly sparkling dialogue between Owen and Roberts. Together on screen they click and the sparks fly often both between the sheets and outside the boudoir. And in case you didn’t get their flirting early on there’s no chance of overlooking it as some very clever cute lines are repeated continually throughout this power trip.

Adding to the intensity of the situation are two top actors who play corporate heads also in a battle royal for control. Solid as a rock Tom Wilkinson (In the Bedroom) shines as the gutsy Howard Tully with mercurial Paul Giamatti (Big Momma’s House) over the top hilarious as windbag Richard Garsik. Intrigue pulls you in with two highly charismatic lead actors who appear to be having a terrific time in this con game extravaganza that makes for an enjoyable trip to your local cinema.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com "