Deception (15)

Apr 25 2008

TAKE a white-collar battle between top flight stars Ewan McGregor and co-producer Hugh Jackman.

Next, add lashings of sex and some splendid cinematography by double Oscar nominee Dante Spinotti (The Insider / LA Confidential).

Top off with an edgy score by Ramin Djawadi (Iron Man) and then cross your fingers that cinemagoers will enjoy the raunchy ride more than picking holes in the plot.

That seems to be the thought process employed by debut director Marcel Langenegger with an increasingly ludicrous story that might once have appealed to a younger Michael Douglas.

After meeting late one night in a deserted office, Jackman's lawyer character Wyatt Bose begins playing games with McGregor's accountant, Jonathan McQuarry.

Though a bit wet behind the ears, McQuarry soon enjoys being dragged deeper into New York's underground sex clubs - until the inevitable consequences kick in.

Deception is not dissimilar to Clive Owen's 2006 flop, Derailed, but I enjoyed this much more. McGregor does glasses and side partings rather well and, just for fun, Spinotti also comes out from behind the camera to play Herr Kleiner / Mr. Moretti.

Despite the plot's increasing level of implausibility, Langenegger maintains a fair degree of suspense throughout.

* www.deception-movie.com