Duplicity

There are two sets of characters that lead the action. The first, and most prominent, is comprised of the two spies, Claire (Julia Roberts) and Ray (Clive Owen), who share a mysterious intimate past and plan to milk a large corporation out of a chunk of cash. The second pair, introduced in a brilliant, slow-motion airport fight scene, includes the heads of two rival beauty care companies, played by Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson. To tell any more of the plot would be to give away too much in this corporate-espionage comedy-thriller. Written and directed by Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton, the Bourne movies), the story is told with good use of flashback scenes. First, you’re thrown into the action—then you get the backstory—then more action, and so on. The camera work, too, is flashy—bird’s-eye views and short focus lend a smart feel to the movie. The cityscapes—from Rome to New York to Miami—are stunning. And it doesn’t hurt, either, that Roberts and Owen are both fun to look at. Feather River Cinemas, Paradise Cinema 7 and Tinseltown. Rated PG-13