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.