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.

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2 stars out of 5