Normally a film would try and hide the fact that things aren’t they way they seem. Deception originally went this route when it was called The Tourist, and even when it was called The List. However, someone at Fox decided this film was best served by giving away the plot in the title and the final result was Deception. A film that had the potential to be interesting had the shady “real” story never existed. Hell, we may have been touting it as a Basic Instinct for the 2000s. Instead it’s just another pile of crap to shovel onto the heap that is the first four months of 2008.
Many will be drawn in by the seemingly all-star cast including Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman. Even Michelle Williams is making a name for herself since “Dawson’s Creek” with an Oscar nom to her credit and we even get cameo appearances by Natasha Henstridge’s ass thrusting technique (seriously), Maggie Q’s gorgeous face and body and Charlotte Rampling’s 62-year-old out of her realm appearance.
The story centers on Jonathan (McGregor). He’s an auditor and one day he is approached by the likeable Wyatt (Jackman). The two sit down for one of the strangest impromptu conversations ever that ultimately ends in smoking a joint. The friendship grows into a tennis date and an accidental cell phone swap… and the intrigue begins.
A phone call comes into the new phone and Jonathan answers. He’s a shy, timid type. He’s had sex with four women in his life and when a faceless female rings he is all ears.
“You available tonight?”
“Uh, yeah, but I’m not…”
“Good, meet me at blah, blah, blah…”
“Okay, but I’m not…” [click]
Yeah, it’s that generic. Ultimately Jonathan finds himself on what is called “The List” (old title callback) and he is fucking random women all over New York City every night. Yee haw! STDs be damned! Clip, clap, don’t matter I’m strapped. Jonathan is a sex maniac too. Despite being Johnny Homebody he rocks Natasha Henstridge as if she never knew what hit her.
Of course, the tide changes. Reality sets in. Smack down Jonathan. Wyatt is a who, what, huh? Yeah. You already know the story.
The biggest problem with Deception is that for the first half of the film you are just waiting for the “twist” to happen because the title tells you it’s coming, and when it finally arrives it is the same old story. Nothing new here. Wire transfers and account numbers all at the push of a button.
It seemed Fox was originally going to not screen this flick for critics, but I can only assume lack of word-of-mouth forced them to let loose with the screenings. After all, no press is bad press, but bad press is at least press. Unfortunately Deception is a stinker with a decent cast. Michelle Williams is a deer in the headlights and Hugh Jackman is charming for half the film and unbelievable for the other half.
Marcel Langenegger is making his directorial debut with this one and he better hope his next flick is far better or he is going to find himself unemployed really quick.
