Duplicity vs. International

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There's been a question about the two Clive Owen thrillers that are coming out five weeks apart -- Tom Tykwer's The International (Sony, 2.13) and Tony Gilroy's Duplicity (Universal, 3.20). The question, obviously, is which looks like something you need to see in a theatre and which one looks like Netflix? Todd McCarthy's Variety review of The International, which is in print today, seems to provide part of the answer. The International is the Netflix choice.

Which doesn't mean that Duplicity won't be either. That said, it doesn't seem likely that director Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton) will flub it. I'll be on the floor if he does. If he really screws the pooch, I mean. I don't think it's in him.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 6, 2009 at 9:02 AM

comment #1

MikeSchaeferSF says ...

Sure seems to me that the timing for The International couldn't be better, what with a bank being the bad guy. With Owen in both, it comes down to a choice between Naomi Watts and Julia Roberts. But I'll probably see both.

Posted by MikeSchaeferSF at February 6, 2009 9:23 AM

comment #2

scooterzz says ...

Ii liked 'the international' very much...frankly, i think the julia roberts element makes 'duplicity' the netflix pick....

Posted by scooterzz at February 6, 2009 9:29 AM

comment #3

BurmaShave says ...

Ten years ago who would have thought the screenwriter of THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE would be a surer bet than the director of RUN LOLA RUN?

Posted by BurmaShave at February 6, 2009 9:34 AM

comment #4

lazarus says ...

The Netflix/theatrical decision should be made on an auterist basis, reviews be damned. Michael Clayton was great because of its screenplay and acting; the direction was competent but inconsequential.

Tom Tykwer, on the other hand, is a guy who has a clear visual gift behind the camera, and whether you like all his films or not (I think they're all varying degrees of fantastic, especially Heaven), he's shown a knack for handling several different genres of films, always with images that grab your attention.

Plus, as mentioned before, the presence of Julia Roberts instantly demotes the quality of any project, especially when put up against one starring the more talented (and hotter) Naomi Watts.

Posted by lazarus at February 6, 2009 9:36 AM

comment #5

Sabina E says ...

The International for Neflix? You're joking... I would rather see that than Duplicity.

Posted by Sabina E at February 6, 2009 9:42 AM

comment #6

moviemaniac2002 says ...

Uh....folks....in case you haven't heard about
what's going on in the country and world
these days....just about everyone(with the
exception of young dating couples) is going to
wait until EVERY goddamn movie is on Neflix.......or until they have their video store's
monthly "Rent one middling corporate-espionage
thriller/Get one free" coupon.

Posted by moviemaniac2002 at February 6, 2009 9:43 AM

comment #7

actionman says ...

i will see both. they both have things going for them and going against them but they both look like fun. and I just love Owen.

Posted by actionman at February 6, 2009 9:56 AM

comment #8

Sean says ...

For market differentiation, they're selling Duplicity as a comedy, and let's hope that it is. I love conspiracy thrillers too much to go see The International if it turns out to be a yawner paycheck job, and I say that was a big, big fan of Watts and a big fan of Twyker and Owen. If it's not at least 67% as good as The Parallax View I really can't be arsed.

Posted by Sean at February 6, 2009 9:58 AM

comment #9

Breedlove says ...

Yeah I'll try and catch both as well. They both look quite promising, to me at least. I dig Clive, Julia, Naomi, and both directors.

And as an aside, Soderbergh and Pitt doing 'Moneyball'...Fuck Yeah.

Posted by Breedlove at February 6, 2009 9:59 AM

comment #10

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

What Lazarus said.

And an "amen" to Breed about the new Soderbergh/Pitt baseball project, woo!

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum at February 6, 2009 10:10 AM

comment #11

Floyd Thursby says ...

"just about everyone(with the
exception of young dating couples) is going to
wait until EVERY goddamn movie is on Neflix"

How, then, did the American box office set a record for January?

Posted by Floyd Thursby at February 6, 2009 10:17 AM

comment #12

scooterzz says ...

re: the international....as i mentioned in another post, it really is reminiscent of those paranoid thrillers of the 70's (parallax view, three days of the condor) and i liked that they didn't skimp on the location work......is it better than those 70's films?...probably not but it's pretty good.....

Posted by scooterzz at February 6, 2009 10:51 AM

comment #13

Chase Kahn says ...

@moviemaniac: I have one word for you...Blart

Posted by Chase Kahn at February 6, 2009 11:56 AM

comment #14

dinovelvet says ...

I don't think I can stomach any more stoic, charismaless, trenchcoat-wearing performances from Clive Owen playing yet another Bond-wannabe role. Has there ever been a less thrilling 'thriller' concept than "Clive Owen tries to take down an evil bank?"

Posted by dinovelvet at February 6, 2009 2:55 PM

comment #15