Romantic Mystery Thriller without the Violence

Refreshing... Brilliant... Sizzling... Brainteaser of a film–all describes the new Julia Roberts and Clive Owen mystery “Duplicity.” The writer/director is Tony Gilroy (seven-time Oscar®-nominated, “Michael Clayton” fame). Roberts and Owen play spies-turned-corporate operatives as they jet set around the world. Their lives become a high-stakes espionage game as these love birds discover the toughest part of their job is deciding how much to actually trust each other.
It’s a captivating plot and an enjoyable puzzle of a film to view. My favorite of 2009 so far!

Co-starring as rival corporate CEO’s are Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson both highly acclaimed actors. The opening scene depicts them participating in an orthodox shouting, finger-pointing match that turns into kicking, shoving and all out wrestling. It sets the stage for the intense opposition between the two corporations. Giamatti portrays Richard Garsik of the Omnikrom firm and Wilkinson portrays Howard Tully of the Burkett & Randle company. 
Both entities are giants in the pharmaceutical market and constantly vying for that new miracle product.

The great news regarding “Duplicity” is that so many things are right in this film. The romantic chemistry between Roberts (Claire Stenwick) and Owen (Ray Koval) is charming and devilish to watch on-screen in their offbeat personality roles of constant mistrust. The big corporation spy storyline is intriguing and the varied worldly set locations are spectacular. Working through a theme of continual misdirection, one never quite knows what’s going to happen next or who may be changing teams.

Beginning with an opening scene in Dubai, Claire (a CIA) agent meets Ray a (MI6 agent) on an assignment and they sleep together. That same evening, Claire drugs Ray and steals his secret codes. Fast forward a few years and both are now working in the private sector. The duo meets again in Rome (shot near the Pantheon) and mastermind a scheme in which they would be able to retire and live happily ever after. There’s only one catch, during the execution of their elaborate plan, they totally underestimated the mistrust factor. Here’s a line from the film:

Claire: If I told you that I loved you, would it make any difference?
Ray: If you told me, or if I believed you?

The conversation scenes between Claire and Roy are written as the two are completely unsure of the other’s motives. They simply can’t change, even in the face of love. Routine dialogue becomes an interrogation amid the pair–they clearly can’t help themselves. These vignettes are written brilliantly and are the core of the film thanks to Gilroy’s script and direction.

A notable prop is the reoccurrence of Moët & Chandon champagne as the two ex-spies prefer it as their choice of an indulgent pleasure. Why not, James Bond had martinis. Does their elaborate double cross scheme work? I never give away the endings but I can tell you that this espionage couple somehow upgrades to Dom Pérignon. I’ve toured the Moët & Chandon champagne winery in the Épernay region of France. The underground tunnels go on for miles; I’d drink either any day!

Sarah Adamson © 2009