I loved this movie. So many things I could say about it. The structure is very effective and really serves a purpose. It’s not one of those movies that bounces around just to do so. As the backstory is provided, the drama increases and the mystery is revealed.
So two-thirds into this movie, I was hooked and loved it. I predicted a couple things, but no biggie.
The real true surprise, however, was the second-to-last scene with the two main stars, Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. That scene is real and has some of the best dialogue I’ve seen or read in a long time.
Here’s a key quote that I love:
Ray Koval: “I think about you all the time. I think about you even when you’re with me. I look at you, I can’t stop looking at you. I look at you, and I think, ‘That woman… That woman knows who I am and loves me anyway.'”
That to me is some brilliant writing. It sounds real and natural and yet it’s quite the line–I think about you even when you’re with me. In one way, that doesn’t make sense, does it? But we get it. It makes all the sense in the world and conveys so much.
Tony Gilroy wrote and directed this movie. He also wrote and directed Michael Clayton. I should’ve connected the two because I really loved Michael Clayton. Gilroy is a director I’m going to be watching for now. I already have another movie that he wrote in my Netflix films: State of Play.
Check out Duplicity for a very smart, very well done film.
I agree Travis. Brilliant film. State of Play is well worth your time as well.