Release Date – 3/20/09
Ray is former MI6 and Claire used to work for the CIA. They have a one night stand because Claire screws Ray over for some secret documents. From this point on we’re treated to flashes through time from the past to present during their next encounters. They eventually decide to team up to score some big cash from two rival corporations who are out to capitalize on a new invention. Don’t take a bathroom break during this one because you’ll get a bit lost. Pay close attention to the time period of the scene and you’ll be in for a treat because this is a rollercoaster ride of an espionage thriller. You could even say it’s a bit of a romantic comedy spy movie. It’s a very enjoyable flick if you can keep up.
Clive Owen is the smooth talkin Ray. He’s a ladies man but after that one night stand seems to only have eyes for Claire (even though she screwed him over). Julia Roberts is Claire. She’s a total bitch that can’t be trusted but she’s good at what she does. Both of them work well together. This isn’t as raunchy as when they shared the screen in Closer, but instead a more tamed version of that. They have good chemistry together as both of them are great actors. Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson play the rival CEOs. I’ve always been a fan of Giamatti since his Private Parts breakout role and he doesn’t disappoint here either. Just don’t expect a major role. Wilkinson is really underused though. At one point he wasn’t even in the film for about 45 minutes. I was disappointed with that. Tony Gilroy wrote and directed and he puts out yet another winner after writing and directing Michael Clayton in 2007, and co-writing all the Bourne movies.
The story was a bit tough to follow at first. There are so many changes in time. At one point we’re in present time then its 10 months earlier then its 12 hours later then its 2 months earlier. I was getting a bit confused but by the end I was all caught up on what was going on. It’s tied together in a nice bow with a surprise that should catch you off guard. The ending really worked for me. I thought it was a great twist to go on top of a movie that already contained twist after twist after twist. Just when I was getting tired of trying to figure out who was lying to who or what double cross I would see next, the ending provided the perfect conclusion. So if you feel like you’re not feeling this one for the first hour or so, just give it time because it really works out well in the end. State of Play from Tony Gilroy hitting theaters this year also. I’ll be checking that one out most definitely.
IMDB – 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes – 66%
Movie Wiseguys – 7/10