Duplicity Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Duplicity Blu-ray Movie Review

When Harry met Sally, she drugged him and stole his classified dossier...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown August 18, 2009

Harmless fluff, bargain bin mainstays, crowd-pleasing cash cows, modern comedies of error, first date fodder... whatever you call them, romantic comedies have abandoned all the things that made the genre darlings of yesteryear sizzle: chemistry, originality and, above all else, honesty. Wit and breezy humor are rare commodities in modern rom-coms; bold, fresh ideas even more so. Blame the genre's steady decline on greedy studio executives and uninspired screenwriters all you want, the simple fact is filmmakers have forgotten how to harness the essence of love, trust, and heartache; how to step outside the predictable, pre-established bounds set by the industry over the last six decades. Sure, independent artists working outside of the studio system have found new and interesting ways to mine the depths of the human heart, but what about dear old Hollywood? Has it lost sight of the very spark it's been so desperate to ignite in its prepackaged productions? Sorry sentimental genre fiends, the answer is a resounding "yes."

Luckily, there are small but promising glimmers of hope; star-studded, genre-defying gems that have rejected Hollywood's dusty framework, coupling fresh storylines with a desire to innovate, experiment, and entertain. Films like Duplicity, a charming fling from Michael Clayton masterminds Tony and John Gilroy that, despite its hyper-realistic spy versus spy setup, offers amusing insight into the trials and tribulations of 21st century relationships.

Even traditional gender roles are fair game in 'Duplicity's tangled web of love and deceit...

Meet Ray Koval (Clive Owen), a talented, ex-MI6 counterintelligence whiz hired by a smarmy CEO (Paul Giamatti) to steal secrets from a rival businessman (Tom Wilkinson). Now meet former CIA agent Claire Stenwick (Julia Roberts), an icy adversary employed by said rival to keep those very secrets safe from crafty spies like Koval. Oh, did I mention Claire and Ray have a history? As it turns out, Claire was responsible for seducing Ray five years earlier, rendering him unconscious, and swiping an invaluable dossier that cost him his career. A match made in heaven? Love at first sight? Let's just say they aren't on the best of terms. Or are they? Duplicity unfolds in an occasionally exhausting manner (much like this synopsis) revealing mere bits and pieces of the actual plot as its nonlinear story tumbles along. Are Ray and Claire bitter enemies? Naive soulmates? Cautious lovers? Is their pairing a coincidence? Or is someone responsible for their star-crossed reunion? Make no mistake, uncovering these truths is initially a frustrating endeavor, one that forces viewers to find their own bearings long before the Gilroys provide anything in the way of legitimate narrative context.

That being said, the film's oft-times confounding structure isn't just for kicks, or even for priming the various twists and turns that emerge along the way. It has a definitive purpose: offering every member of its audience -- young or old, male or female, single or otherwise -- a chance to quickly and easily relate to its lovelorn protagonists, both of whom struggle with trust issues, identity crises, and relationship woes. To the Gilroys credit, every aspect of the sprawling, he-did-it-she-did-it story, and by extension the entire film, clicks into place, making second and third viewings (as well as the second and third acts) far more rewarding than the first. But Duplicity isn't a rom-com bait-n-switch or a light-hearted spy versus spy comedy (despite sharing characteristics with both), it's a cheeky examination of love in a day and age where truth is an uncertainty; where commitment is only as strong as a lover's whim; and where wealth, status, and individual security readily dictate the terms of any relationship.

While parallels will rightfully be drawn to films like Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Ocean's Eleven, Duplicity forges its own path, providing Owen and Roberts ample opportunity to play against type. Ray is impulsive and shortsighted, taking far more missteps than his confident grin and $3000 suit might suggest. Claire is cold and distant, proudly brandishing the proverbial pants wherever and whenever she pleases. Together, they're spontaneous and calculating, passionate and distrusting; separately, each one questions every statement, motive, and action their shady counterpart makes. They're mismatched yet somehow perfect for each other. Armed with Tony Gilroy's spry dialogue and quickfire exchanges, Owen and Roberts infuse their characters with more humanity than the slippery script sometimes deserves. Then there's Giamatti and Wilkinson, both of whom chew scenery and steal scenes at every turn. Like embittered divorcees, the two squabble and sneer, actively pursuing anything that will cause the other emotional harm. They fight over offspring (in this case profitable ideas), employ other people to deliver debilitating blows, and are more interested in seeing their rival brought to ruin than in actually running a successful company. The seasoned actors earn just as many laughs as Owen and Roberts, injecting their splintered relationship with as much venom and ire as they can muster.

Even so, Duplicity isn't going to appeal to everyone. As much as I enjoyed its winding wares and magnetic performances, I can see how some would consider its script overwrought and its story unwieldy. Your enjoyment will come down to how freely you embrace the film's brisk, biting tone and how readily you buy into its actors' on-screen chemistry. Ultimately, as much as I dug most everything the Gilroys had to offer, filmfans would be wise to rent this one before considering a purchase.

Duplicity Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Duplicity features a striking 1080p/VC-1 transfer that revels in Robert Elswit's rich palette and stark shadows. Colors are bold and stable, skintones are warm and lifelike, blacks are absorbing (albeit a bit crushed from time to time), and contrast is vivid. Whether drenched in sunburned oranges or bathed in the turquoise glow of computer screens, the actors look utterly fantastic. Detail is just as rewarding. Textures are exceedingly refined, edges are clean and natural, and delineation is quite revealing. While some shots suffer from smearing (a slow-mo encounter between Giamatti and Wilkinson looks particularly waxy), I suspect the filmmakers, not a technical deficiency or a mysterious application of noise reduction, are to blame in each instance. The image is pristine, sure -- artifacting, aliasing, edge enhancement, and other unintentional digital anomalies are nowhere to be found -- but close-ups and establishing shots are too sharp and precise to indicate any troubling foul play. All things considered, the transfer isn't perfect, but isn't problematic either. Fans and eagle-eyed videophiles should be pleased with the results.

Duplicity Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Duplicity's attractive video transfer is coupled with an equally impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Dialogue is crisp, intelligible, and perfectly prioritized, and whispered exchanges are crystal clear. The LFE channel is rarely challenged by anything other than the film's soundtrack, but it makes its presence known when called upon. Likewise, the rear speakers are relegated to streetside ambience and subtle interior acoustics, but nevertheless create a convincing soundfield that captures the hustle and bustle of New York City, the meandering crowds of Rome, and the quiet chatter of Dubai meet-n-greets. Thankfully, pans are silky smooth, directionality is decisive, and dynamics serve up enough punch and pizazz to match Ray and Claire's spirited interplay. The mix may not be loaded with the sort of sonic power audio junkies crave, but it does work well for the task at hand.

Duplicity Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Duplicity arrives with one special feature: a somewhat dry audio commentary with writer/director Tony Gilroy and editor/co-producer John Gilroy. Anyone who took the time to trudge through the Gilroys' Michael Clayton commentary know the brothers aren't exactly the most entertaining fellows to listen to. Thankfully, their latest chat is more engaging than their previous dud, offering fans a more thorough overview of the production and a more amusing account of the time they spent with their cast and crew. It's not easy to plow through in one sitting without nodding off, but it's a decent addition nonetheless. BD-Live functionality and "My Scenes" bookmarking are included as well.

Duplicity Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Duplicity may have divided audiences and critics, but I found it to be a breezy, entertaining break from the status quo. Better than the majority of romantic comedies currently plaguing the market, better than other lighthearted spy romps in recent memory, it delivers a sharp script, excellent performances, and enough wit and originality to make it stand out from the genre crowd. The Blu-ray edition is just as strong. Granted, a single audio commentary is the only special feature to be found, but Universal's excellent video transfer and solid DTS-HD Master Audio track more than make up for the disc's relatively minor shortcomings. I can't guarantee everyone will enjoy the film itself as much as I did, but, at the very least, it's worth renting. Give it a chance and see if it nuzzles up to you as easily as it did me.