Deception (20th Century Fox)
Deceptively Dull
Deception is a movie that has a haunting and moody look to it, three exceptionally talented actors in lead roles, and a convoluted plot. On paper it appears to be a must see film that will hold your interest from start to finish, but do not be deceived it is deadly dull. Nothing works in this film and when it is over, besides being happy, you are completely at a loss as to what has occurred.
Jonathan McQuarry (Ewan McGregor) is a bookish accountant. While conducting an audit at a downtown business he meets suave lawyer Wyatt Bose (Hugh Jackman). The two opposites strike up a friendship and eventually Bose introduces Jonathan to a sex club. It is a club where the people meet and dont exchange names or any other information. The purpose is only to have sex and when that is accomplished the two people go their separate ways.
One night Jonathan meets a woman (Michelle Williams) to whom he is very much attracted. He wants to know more about her but she disappears before he can question her. This attraction leads him to a crossroads where he must either commit a criminal act or lose the woman he thinks he loves.
Jackman, McGregor and Williams are all very good in their roles but the movie just bogs down from the beginning and never recovers. You want it to be interesting but it isnt. You want it to be sexy, but it isnt. You want it to be suspenseful, but it isnt. It just isnt much of anything.
Plus any movie that wastes the talents of such beauties as Charlotte Rampling, Maggie Q and Natasha Henstridge is in big trouble from the get go. These women barely make a ripple on the screen time of the film.
The movie is rated R for profanity, sexual situations and violence.
The set director and the cinematographer worked arduously to give the movie a feel and a look, but this is all wasted because the film becomes silly and stupid. The lead actors are working hard to make it all ultra serious when the whole thing should have just been a comedy.
This is a movie to be avoided in theaters, on DVD, and on plane flights. Looks can be deceiving but this movie is a loser.
I scored Deception a lying 4 out of 10.
