Today’s quick review: The Double. Retired special agent Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere) returns to the CIA when Cassius, the Russian assassin he spent years of his life chasing, resurfaces after years in hiding. To track down the elusive assassin, Paul joins forces with neophyte FBI analyst Ben Geary (Topher Grace), a specialist in Cassius and his work. But as the investigation continues, the two agents discover that the clues do not add up.
The Double is a spy thriller with a good setup and lackluster follow-through. The plot revolves around the murder of a Senator that fits the profile of missing Russian assassin Cassius. Paul Shepherdson, the CIA’s leading expert on Cassius, is convinced that Cassius is dead, but heads the investigation to find out who is responsible. His new partner, Ben Geary, believes Cassius is the killer, but struggles to earn Paul’s respect.
The Double has a few major shortcomings that keep it from making the most of its better qualities. The cast is shallow in terms of characters and actors, with only CIA director Tom Highland (Martin Sheen) standing out among the supporting cast. The villains in particular are lacking: Cassius carries more weight as a ghost than any assassin ever seen onscreen. The acting as a whole is adequate, but only Richard Gere seems to own his role.
From a plot perspective, The Double has better ideas than execution. The perks are one or two excellent hooks early in the Cassius investigation, a few interesting moments along the way, and Richard Gere as a veteran CIA agent with a mysterious past and an unhealthy connection to the investigation. The failures are a short, aimless plot, a limp payoff, and a missed opportunity for a larger cast and added subterfuge.
Watch The Double if you are in the mood for a decent thriller with a couple of good ideas and mediocre execution. Elements of The Double could have been built into an excellent spy story, but as it is, The Double does not distinguish itself within its genre. Watch Salt, Safe House, or your favorite spy thriller for a better take on a similar premise.
5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for passable execution with a couple of high points.