Talented writer Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”) in his sophomore directorial effort has combined the star power of Julia Roberts and Clive Owen with a deceptive brain-teasing script that stays one step ahead of the audience.

Claire Stenwick (Roberts) and Ray Koval (Owen) have left government intelligence to cash in on a high-stakes game of corporate espionage. Two rival corporations headed by industry titan Howard Tully (Tom Wilkinson) and buccaneer CEO Richard Garsik (Paul Giamatti) are competing to be first in line for the patent rights to a secret formula that will revolutionize the consumer marketplace with a highly profitable product that will be in great demand.

The movie opens with a lavish affair at Dubai’s U.S. Consulate that takes place five years in the past. The charming and debonair Ray is very forward in flirting with the beautiful Claire. Claire seduces and drugs Ray before stealing some top secret military codes from him during their first encounter.

Their growing attraction and clandestine love affair forms the spine of a witty script infused with a sparkling sense of humor and surprises galore.

Gilroy uses split screens and jumps forward and backward in time to locations that include New York, Rome, London, the Bahamas, Miami, Cleveland and Zurich. The nonlinear approach keeps things both confusing and interesting with an air of uncertainty.

The same conversation between Ray and Claire occurs multiple times and you come away with a different interpretation. The old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” is so true in this instance. Viewers should pay particular attention to examining the facial expressions and body movements of the key players for clues.

Love and trust seem to be at odds with so much money involved. The movie throws curveballs and red herrings that keep viewers on their toes trying to figure things out.

Roberts and Owen, who previously played a couple in “Closer,” have great chemistry on screen. They appear to be having fun playing mind games with each other. They strike a delightful balance in this battle of the sexes between a competitive professional admiration and a passionate yearning for a soul mate.

While watching Owen strut his stuff in “a good suit with an easy smile,” you can’t help but imagine him in the role of James Bond.

Gilroy has borrowed a page out of the David Mamet screenwriting handbook in fashioning an adult-oriented drama that ranks right up there with “The Spanish Prisoner” and “House of Games.”

Although it is way too early to be talking Oscars, this has to be considered the frontrunner for best original screenplay. The ensemble acting is top drawer and the musical score of James Newton Howard has a lively beat that whets your appetite for the intrigue and double-crosses.

This enjoyable, lighthearted movie should not be taken too seriously and is worthy of your admiration.

Review By:
Keith Cohen "The Movie Guy"