Month: March 2021

Today’s quick review: Duplicity. Freshly hired for a corporate espionage job in New York, Ray Koval (Clive Owen), a former MI-6 agent, is shocked to learn that he’ll be working with Claire Stenwick (Julia Roberts), the former CIA agent who got the better of him five years before. The two must put aside their differences to help CEO Dick Garsik (Paul Giamatti) steal a top-secret product from his business rival, Howard Tully (Tom Wilkinson).

Duplicity is a crime comedy and romance about a pair of corporate spies with a tangled history together. The plot revolves around two rival companies and a project that could be worth a fortune in the right hands. With Claire working on the inside and Ray helping her from the outside, the two spies set out to make sure those hands are theirs. A light tone and an interesting plot are enough to make Duplicity a fun watch, if not an outstanding one.

Duplicity takes its premise and spins it into a fairly satisfying story. There isn’t a single heist, but rather a series of smaller operations that bring Ray and Claire closer to their prize. Along the way, the movie flashes back to their shared past, revealing more of their love-hate relationship and dropping hints about what each one has in mind in the present. The twists aren’t brilliant, but they are enough to flesh the plot out nicely.

Still, Duplicity leaves a few things on the table. Clive Owen and Julia Roberts have some chemistry, but their banter isn’t as sharp as it could be. The plot works well from moment to moment and it wraps up well enough, but it misses the chance to build to a bigger climax. Likewise, the script is right on the border of a true comedy. It does levity just fine, especially when Claire and Ray exchange the upper hand, but has only a few actual jokes.

Watch Duplicity when you’re in the mood for a light caper with a fun story, a decent pair of leads, and a couple of good twists. Duplicity isn’t as skillfully executed or as memorable as some of its competition, but it makes for an enjoyable pick nonetheless. Fans of the lighter side of the crime or spy genres may want to give it a shot. Those looking for a gritty heist flick will want to look elsewhere.

For a crime comedy and romance about a pair of con artists, try Focus. For one that’s heavier on the romance, try Out of Sight. For an action comedy with a similar setup and tone, try Mr. and Mrs. Smith. For a more elaborate heist with an ensemble cast and a larger dose of humor, try Ocean’s Eleven or The Italian Job.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for light, simple fun.

Today’s quick review: Molly’s Game. Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) has made a name for herself—along with a tidy sum of money—by running one of the most exclusive underground poker games in the world. Now at the center of a federal investigation, Molly has no choice but to turn to attorney Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) to beat the charges. But to walk away with her freedom, she may have to share secrets that she’s worked for years to keep.

Molly’s Game is a crime drama that’s based on a true story. The film charts the remarkable life of Molly Bloom, an underground entrepreneur who became wealthy by hosting a high-stakes poker game for businessmen, celebrities, and other high rollers. Molly’s Game boasts sharp writing, an engaging presentation style, capable acting, and a worthwhile protagonist, making it a solid pick for a wide range of viewers.

The story splits its time between Molly’s heyday as a poker host and her attempts to fight back against an unjust investigation. Molly’s Game does a skillful job of balancing these two threads, maintaining tension in each of them while keeping the story moving. The punchy writing style helps to further spruce up Molly’s story, while flashbacks to her childhood with her father (Kevin Costner) give the film another source to draw on.

The lynchpin of the film is Molly herself. Jessica Chastain walks a fine line with the character, portraying her as sharp and capable while still keeping her sympathetic. Part of the appeal of the story is watching Molly use her wits to parlay a lousy job into a lucrative business. At the same time, her honesty, her loyalty, and her unwillingness to get drawn into hard crime make her a protagonist worth rooting for.

The main weaknesses of Molly’s Game are the ones that come with a biography. Those used to the fictional side of the crime genre may find its plot to be unfocused and its stakes to be low, though the film’s excellent presentation goes a long way towards bridging that gap. The film also depends on Molly striking the right balance as a character. Those who end up not liking her will have a hard time getting into the rest of the film.

High execution quality and interesting source material make Molly’s Game worth a watch for those in the mood for a snappy crime drama. The story will not resonate emotionally with everyone, but it covers enough ground with enough skill that most viewers will find something to like. For a raunchier crime comedy that’s based on a true story, try The Wolf of Wall Street. For a similar true story with less flair, try Lay the Favorite.

7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a high degree of craftsmanship.

Today’s quick review: The Art of Self-Defense. After a mugging leaves him in the hospital, Casey (Jesse Eisenberg) tries to reclaim his dignity by taking up karate. He signs up for lessons under Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), an intense but supportive karate master who promises to make Casey into a warrior. But in spite of a promising start for his new hobby, Casey soon learns that Sensei’s school has a darker side to it.

The Art of Self-Defense is a black comedy about a man who picks up karate to overcome his timidity. The Art of Self-Defense offers a wry look at fear, aggression, and self-improvement. The movie specializes in a dry style of comedy that’s well-suited to Jesse Eisenberg, drawing much of its humor from Casey’s self-effacing personality and a subtly skewed world. However, the movie’s slow pacing and macabre streak limit its appeal.

The Art of Self-Defense has the makings of a cult comedy. Its gags are understated, found in subtle quirks of the setting and characters rather than in explicit punchlines. Casey’s struggles with daily life make him a sympathetic protagonist. Sensei makes for an effective foil, a low-key parody of the calm, confident man Casey wishes to be. The later revelations of the film give it something to build toward, plus a basic but complete story.

The drawback to all this is that The Art of Self-Defense never truly comes to life. Casey’s world rarely extends beyond his home, his office, and his dojo, while the supporting cast is limited to a handful of coworkers and fellow students. The subtle nature of the jokes coupled with their relatively low density mean that, in spite of a handful of solid hits in the comedy department, the movie never goes on comedic hot streaks.

The other chief drawback of the film is that it goes to some dark places. The Art of Self-Defense never loses its sense of humor, and even its darkest moments are tinged with mundane absurdities. But after a fairly accessible first half, the film gradually creeps in a sinister direction as Casey learns more about his new teacher. Whether the darker aspects of the story are part of the fun or a tone-breaker will come down to taste.

Fans of unconventional comedies may want to give The Art of Self-Defense a shot. Its gags are clever and inventive, while stoic performances from Jesse Eisenberg, Alessandro Nivola, and Imogen Poots fit the film’s style well. But its dry tone can make it hard to get traction on, while the suspenseful edge it picks up halfway through won’t be to everyone’s tastes. The result is a hit-or-miss comedy with a solid amount of cult appeal.

For another dry comedy with a more fully realized world, try one of the works of Wes Anderson. For a more overt comedy that expresses similar frustrations, try Office Space. For a more stylized, dynamic movie with a similar premise, try Fight Club or Wanted. For a more character-focused comedy that has the same wry perspective, try Little Miss Sunshine.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for clever humor and straight-faced delivery offset by a lack of momentum; your score will vary.