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All-star cast should not deceive moviegoers

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Also by Lauren Worley:

• All-star cast should not deceive moviegoers (April 30, 2008)

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The title of first-time director Marcel Langenegger’s debut movie, “Deception,” unsurprisingly sums up the plot of the entire film.

In “Deception,” accountant Jonathan McQuarry (Ewan McGregor, “Cassandra’s Dream”) encounters an exciting diversion from his mundane, reserved lifestyle when his new lawyer friend, Wyatt Bose (Hugh Jackman, “The Prestige”), introduces him to a scandalous New York City sex club that features Wall Street’s top businesswomen, set up so those involved can enjoy “intimacy without intricacy.” But soon McQuarry finds himself entangled in a multi-million dollar heist and a twisted battle for survival. The plot starts strong, but in a series of improbable events it deteriorates into a cliche, predictable thriller full of attempts at trickery and, of course, deception.  

With established stars like Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams (“I’m Not There”) and Ewan McGregor, the cast of “Deception” makes the film appear promising, but this is also deceiving. While Jackman and McGregor play their roles well, Michelle Williams’ sickening performance comes as a shock.

As with many action and suspense films, “Deception” includes a subplot rife with lust, flirtation and steamy love scenes. Williams plays McQuarry’s object of affection, a woman known simply as “S” who he meets and falls for in the sex club. But throughout the film their romance remains underdeveloped and generic, and Williams delivers a cheesy performance as a character who remains annoyingly mysterious and aloof. In one scene, when distraught over the forbidden lust they feel for one another, S uses the painfully tacky line on McQuarry, “Maybe you should go.” He longingly replies, “Maybe you should stay.” Granted, a bad script is not the fault of the actor, but Williams overplaying of this scene makes it even more eye-roll inducing.

Another frustrating aspect of the film is its implausibility. The lack of explanations where needed and the prevalence of unlikely occurrences demand that viewers be willing to overlook inconsistencies. For example, Bose draws on some daring — and improbable — assumptions about McQuarry and decisions he will make to blackmail him into assisting with a heist, a feat that only pans out because Bose’s improbable assumptions conveniently follow through.

On a positive note, however, some may find McQuarry’s awkward personality and his friendly banter with Bose at the beginning of the film genuinely funny. With its lighthearted opening — even if not enough time is spent on characterization — the film certainly has the ability to draw viewers in.

Mediocre acting and cliche plotlines aside, if you are in search of a generic action and suspense flick that does not require any mental effort to watch, “Deception” is a fit.

2 stars out of 5