Reviewer's Rating 2 out of 5
Deception (2008)
15Contains strong language and sex

Hugh Jackman plays Wyatt Bose, a smooth talking attorney who introduces nerdy accountant Jonathan McQuarry (McGregor) to a world of sleaze and debauchery in this formulaic erotic thriller. Shunning Hollywood rules of romping, the brief encounters in Deception may operate a strictly lights-on policy, but sadly the film's languid pace, clunky dialogue and disregard for suspense means that watching it is like the sexual equivalent of a long awkward fumble in the dark - it's frustrating, tedious and the outcome is never going to be satisfactory.

Following a mobile phone mix up, Jonathan finds himself in possession of Wyatt's handset - and on the receiving end of a sexy voice asking 'Are yYou free tonight?' Of course he is - and can't quite believe it when he is initiated into an exclusive sex-dating club of executive women. As luck would have it, he falls in love with - gasp! - the wrong woman, a pretty blonde (Michelle Williams) known only as 'S'. When S disappears, Jonathan is the prime suspect and it soon becomes clear that - wait for it - his good 'ol buddy Wyatt ain't who he appears to be...

"ANTI-CLIMACTIC SHOWDOWN"

The difference between a decent thriller and Deception is that a good thriller at least tries to keep you guessing with a few twists and turns. Director Marcel Langenegger does nothing of the sort, sticking to slow, uninspired camera moves, and a silly, anti-climactic showdown. With A-listers playing against type, this could've been a gripping cat-and-mouse contest but McGregor struggles within the straitjacket of a stereotypical accountant and it's only thanks to Jackman's cool charisma that Deception manages to sustain any intrigue.

Deception is out in the UK on 25th April 2008.

End Credits

Director: Marcel Langenegger

Writer: Mark Bomback

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams

Genre: Thriller, Drama

Length: 110 minutes

Cinema: 25 April 2008

Country: US

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