Deception (2008)

its aw-ite

Michelle Williams is very pretty, but too skinny to suit me. Ewan McGregor is always good. I don't personally care much for Hugh jackman. The story is pretty far-fetched. It also definately felt like I'd seen it before. "Derailed" is similar but much better in every way. Don't get me wrong, it's not a total waste of time. It just could've been a lot mo betta. November 14, 2008

This Is Not A Thriller

Even if the title were changed, so as not to give away the rehashed plot, this film remains a predictable drama, with terrible acting, poor casting, no suspense or surprises, and an ending that is unbelievably bad. The sex is poorly staged and photographed and the director is entirely to blame for this booring film. Do not buy it, don't even rent it. Rent Femme Fatale to see what a really good thriller is all about. November 10, 2008

Looks good but it'll give you bad indigestion.

In the fast corporate world of America, business is just business and entanglements are annoying hindrance.

However, if you're Jonathan McQuarry, you won't think so. He wants complications; he wants all the trouble and hindrances he can get. But it ain't exactly easy even though, seemingly on the outside, he is a well-adjusted and successful man. In reality, he is an awkward, lonely accountant, who craves companionship but doesn't have the confidence to chase after it.

While on one of his many two week jobs, auditing major corporations in the heart of FiDi, he comes across Wyatt Bose, a fast talking, smooth-sailing confidence man that Jonathan would give anything to immolate. Bose introduces him to the high life, and to the kind of existence that Jonathan has always dreamed of but never thought he could attain. It gets him thinking, wanting, doing.

When their phones are accidentally switched, it introduces Jonathan to The List, a Sex Club for the corporate and the highly successful and run by them. One-night stands, hot sex with beautiful strangers, Jonathan goes crazy and wild, gaining confidence and an edge along the way. And maybe, just enough to keep him alive.

As he meets more women, then beds them, both older and younger women, Jonathan can't escape the face of a beautiful blonde he caught a glimpse of in the metro. When he finds her, he can't get enough of her.

And thus, untangles the ugly truth of Wyatt Bose, aka, Jamie Getz, criminal extraordinaire, and his muse, the mysterious blonde woman 'S'. What Jonathan finds out too late is that the whole meet-greet and suck him in into the glamorous life is a game. To steal millions.

Deception is a standard psychological thriller/suspense that is mostly forgettable. It had a fairly well crafted character arch, in which Ewan McGregor's ability, as the geeky-gawky loser, gives more than what's there and is the film's only saving grace. Hugh Jackman pulled off a chilling and conniving criminal, though he just can't compete with McGregor. Mostly, this movie was so transparent, predictable and boring, following all the tried and true 'slight of hand' tricks that were woefully poorly executed, you'll shake your head throughout. Lacking wit or intelligence in general, the cinematography and the overall look of the film could makeup for the wasted effort, because that's actually well done and you won't take your eyes off for that precise reason. The surprise appearances by Maggie Q and Charlotte Rampling added some flavor and depth that the movie, in its entirely, lacked completely.

It wasn't the actors, who did well enough, though Michelle Williams as the troubled and doe-eyed S, while completely transformed as to not be recognizable, is a bland and useless visual. Her role as the vehicle to transform Jonathan is unfulfilled. There is one twist and turn that you won't expect but how it ends is not only lame, but disappointing and utterly saccharine. On a rainy day with little expectation and if you're in the mood for a predictable thriller, Deception will win you over. However, if you like a bit more thought and better story telling, pass. November 8, 2008

Pass the brie

Since I was charged twice for renting this movie, because of a mistake the cashier made and didn't have the knowledge to fix it. I was forced, in a matter of speaking, to watch the movie, with the hope that I could talk later to a manager at the store who "possessed" the skills to void extra charges.

I tried to put my frustration aside and be an open minded viewer. The beginning of the movie was such a cliché for every man's dream coming true (i.e getting lucky and have a friend who would enable him to have one night stands with pretty women, who he never met before). Thrilled by this new life and the anticipation of his next bed partner, he finds that there's only one woman (of the sex list of course) that he's interested in, and he desires to know her well before bedding her.

During the ten minutes interaction between the main character and the charming mysterious blonde, I had a drink to allow me to forget the trite predictability of the lame kisses and the fake romanticism.
But, no, just minutes before the bodily union between the two souls, a surprise takes place. Mind you, the surprise is no less lame than the fake attraction between these two very different characters. Our previous geek, now is a hero in love, on a mission to save his woman and find the truth. This is the stuff of comic book heroes not a supposedly serious suspense movie.

I don't know if I watched the whole movie because I didn't have much to do this Saturday or because I had a drink and didn't care much. The moral of the story is that the movie ends as lamely as it started, but of course true love conquers all.
November 5, 2008

The deception lies in the fact you lose money believing to be entertained.

Warning...spoiler!!!!So after watching this unsuspenseful, predictably plotted movie we find out the accountant gives up 20 million dollars just to be with some girl whom he doesn't even know...they dont even call it love and this adding to the fact he is wanted in the death of 2 people and the possibility of faking his own death! and hes walking around Spain like everything is fine! God one of the top 10 worst movies I have ever seen. Save your time and do something more constructive like take a walk, or run, wash the car, learn to play the xylophone...or rewatch Chinatown (which truly portrays "deception" at work. October 25, 2008

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