Duplicity

Since the Bourne films, Tony Gilroy has apparently lost interest in telling a linear story. Michael Clayton left people befuddled well into the third act, and his latest, Duplicity is about the same. Events happen that seem to make no sense, but a flashback 15 or 45 minutes later makes things sensical.

The star driven Duplicity works surprisingly well. Julia Roberts and Clive Owen are alternately perplexing, infuriating and fascinating. The question of trust--or lack thereof--hangs like a thick fog over the entire film. This adds intrigue to the mix, and Roberts and Owen are particularly adept the banter that Gilroy has crafted for them.

Make no mistake, this is a star vehicle. But the supporting performances--especially Kathleen Chalfant, Tom Wilkinson and Paul Giamatti--are what elevate the film above typical mid-winter toss offs.

The story is consistently engaging even though it's late into the film before you have a sense of what's going on. It's also clear from the audience reaction that it clicks at different times for different people and even then not always accurately.

Michael Clayton was dark and complex. Duplicity plays more like a variation on a theme: part romcom, part corporate thriller, part J. Roberts star vehicle. But it works well.