What is it about Deception, the upcoming Hugh Jackman-Ewan McGregor thriller (due April 25), that feels so decidedly early ’90s, like it could’ve been greenlit somewhere after the blockbuster success of Fatal Attraction, but perhaps released a year or two before Basic Instinct? Is it the way Lisa Gay Hamilton (nice to see her in anything, really) layers on the disgust as she snarls the phrase "sex group"? Maybe it’s Hugh Jackman’s power suit and slick hair? Or the kissing in the rain outside a corner Chinese restaurant?
What I don’t quite get is why, in the Internet era, these characters seem all atwitter about a phone-based booty-call network for urban professionals? "No rough stuff and no names"? (Only first initials, apparently!) It’s enough to make me blush, not because of the lurid content, but rather, because the whole setup seems so hammy and embarrassing. And because Oscar-nominated Michelle Williams deserves better.
Can any of you see a good reason for checking out Deception? (And don’t use the Jackman hotness factor when you can on-demand X2 for a fraction of the price.)
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I’m a totally straight male, and, since Slezak is saying that we can’t cite Jackman as a reason for seeing this flick, how about the combined hotness of Jackman AND McGregor?
That’s why I’m going…I LOVE those guys (cue my girlfriend shaking her head at me if she ever read this). And, seriously? Where did they dig up Lisa Gay Hamilton?! Good to see her though.
I can totally see where you are coming from! Will you see this so that I don’t have too?
…this from someone who sat through “Eye of the Beholder” in theatres.
…this from someone who sat through “Eye of the Beholder” in theatres.
By the way, I liked it better when this movie was called “The Tourist.” The title change to “Deception” DOES make it sound painfully mid-late 90’s, ala “Disclosure” or something generic like that.
I used the wrong *to*! Sorry – damn this cold medicine!
Hugh Jackman playing evil? Yeah, I’ll catch the flick.
I really want to see this, I like that it looks like a throwback to those sleazy corporate thrillers that Michael Douglass would be in, I’m thinking that’s the point. It looks like a fun thrilling movie and the actors are all great so I’m game for it. I only wish they would change the title, this the third title this film has had and by far the weakest, the previous title’s (“The List”, and “The Tourist”) were much better.
Well, since I never got a chance to see Ewan in the movie with Colin Ferrell that came out about 2 months ago – yeah I will. Its just a movie.
BTW: the unnamed female (dark hair) in the trailer sounded a lot like Rashida Jones. I kept double checking to see if it was her or not.
I agree, there is something mid nineties about it. I think a lot of it is Ewan’s unfortunate hairdo and glasses. It almost seems vaguely eighties too. Like a previous poster said, this seems like a movie Michael Douglas would have made like, fifteen years ago. Good call, Blogfather!
Slezak, you’re right on the money! This movie looks like cheese galore! I’m embarrased for all of the actors involved. Yes, Jackman, McGregor, and Williams (whom I’ve loved since Dawson’s Creek) are excellente actors, but I don’t think even them can turn this sinking ship around!
I agree with Rakeem’s assessment of this flick. Also, it would be a LOT more embarrassing if this thing ACTUALLY starred Michael Douglas trying to seduce someone half his age. (Because such a thing would be completely unbelievable in real life.)
I’m in because of the cast.
I was in a little film called Bad Influence with James Spader… and I’m suing these mfers…
Unintentional camp factor?
I just love Michelle Williams. There’s something about her that makes me want to root for her.
Isn’t this just like that movie in the 80’s, “Bad Influence” with James Spader and Rob Lowe?
I’ve had a crush on Ewan McGregor ever since he sang his first note in Moulin Rouge (till this is one of my favorite musicals of all time), so I will probably end up seeing this movie just for that fact!
Oh please. One trailer and you’re bad mouthing it? Why not wait for the actual movie?
What marketing idiot (I know redundant) decided DECEPTION was a GOOD title??? The original title THE TOURIST wasn’t great but it was better than that.
Yep, pretty lame all the way around. Love me some Ewan though.
Jen, I totally agree with you–my fave movie and made me LOVE Ewan. Can’t resist Jackman either. I’ll go, maybe not opening weekend. Looks entertaining. Why are period movies only okay when the period was over 100 years ago? Why couldn’t this be an 80’s/period piece?
Unless Jackman and McGregor hook up on this “list” as well, I think I’m going to avoid this 90’s Michael Douglas flick. But I’m glad that Lisa Gay Hamilton, Michelle Williams, and Maggie Q are getting some work.
Even the title screams 90’s rip-off… remember the thriller Deceived, with Goldie Hawn and John Heard??
So bad it’s kinda good, but not really, just bad. The plot lines weren’t telegraphed but texted to every member of the audience I was with. The highlight was the big showdown where we (the audience) were so excited that something was going to happen, albeit something we’d all been waiting hour and twenty five minutes we when we first saw Michelle Williams insouciant smile, that there was spontaneous applause when she expertly shot the dastardly Hugh Jackman. A truly bonding moment. Hope they all got paid properly.