Reviewed by Johnny McNair

Fox Home Entertainment – 108 minutes – 2008 – Rated R – 1080p Widescreen 2.40:1 – DTS Lossless 5.1 Audio Mix

You know those erotic thrillers that come on cable in middle of the night? The ones with B or C list actors who took the jobs because this is the only work they could get and they have a mortgage to pay? Well sometimes big name stars sign up to do the exact same type of film, which is the case with Deception, a completely predictable thriller that proves that sex does not always sell. Deception is available on Blu-ray from Fox Home Entertainment, but besides being a visually pleasing, there’s nothing else there.

THE MOVIE

Set in New York City, Deception stars Ewan McGregor as Jonathan, a mild mannered accountant living a dull life, who befriends a man named Wyatt, played by Hugh Jackman, a cocky lawyer who introduces him to the wild side of life. Things get crazier when they “accidentally” switch phones and Jonathan gets calls meant for Wyatt inviting him to anonymous sexual encounters with random women. Jonathan learns that this is a secret sex club for the elite businessmen and women of New York City, and he gets caught up in it pretending to be Wyatt. One of the women he encounters is a mysterious blonde named ‘S’ played by Michelle Williams, who he falls for.

Jonathan’s fun and games comes crashing to an end, when he discovers that he was just a pawn in a game conducted by Wyatt to exploit the client’s he does accounting for to steal a huge some of money. Being that Wyatt has put ‘S’s’ life at stake, Jonathan must find a way to save her, and stop Wyatt’s web of deception.

The obvious problem with Deception is that there’s nothing unique about it. It has made for cable written all over it, and plays out like it’s stuck in an 80’s time capsule. There are some occasional highlights such cameos by British actress Charlotte Rampling and asian hottie. Maggie Q, who plays members of the secret club. It would have been interesting if the film went in a different direction, or the whole sex club thing was made out to be over the top as in Eyes Wide Shut.

Deception is one of those films that within fifteen minutes you’ve already figured put both the twists and the ending, and in between there’s not much else, not even crazy sex scenes, to hold your interest. Unless you’re a fan of Hugh Jackman or Ewan McGregor, there’s no real reason to own this Blu-ray, but a rental would be harmless.

VIDEO

The film is nothing to remember, but the way it’s photographed by cinematographer Dante Spinotti is superb. This Blu-ray features a full 1080p image with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, and it will shine on your HDTV. Even the streets of New York look great, with calm colors and tones; and interiors from a simple office cubicle to a high-priced penthouse suite look like they should be on a postcard. The male leads are shot to look debonair in their close-ups in that old-styled Carey Grant fashion; and Michelle Williams looks great emulating the blonde bombshell. There are hints of grain in places, but overall this is one of the best-looking Blu-rays out there.

AUDIO

Deception comes to Blu-ray with a DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, and just like the image quality, the sound also shines. Dialogue is crystal clear, and subtle sounds like the ambience of New York City are blended together so smoothly, it’s like being there. It should also be noted that the film’s score by Ramin Djawadi really seals the deal, selling the mood the film is going for better than the script itself.

EXTRAS

The bonus features for Deception are your basic items including an audio commentary track and a making of featurette, etc., but they are all in HD.

Director Marcel Langenegger provides an audio commentary track, but it’s kind of a snoozer because even he can’t make the film sound worth your attention. You’ll be fast-forwarding through this one.

‘Exposing Deception’ is your average making of featurette that runs about twenty minutes with basic interviews from cast and crew and on the set footage.

Two deleted scenes are included, but neither adds to the movie.

‘Club Sexy’ is a ten-minute glimpse at real sex clubs, but you’ll have more joy watching an episode of Real Sex on HBO, because at least it delivers the goods.

BOTTOM LINE

Deception is trying to be edgy, but it’s not as clever as if thinks it is. The lame plot is highlighted with an excellent picture and sound that will make it less painless to watch, but in the end there’s still not much to hold you. Give this one a rent, but only if you’re a fan of one of its stars, otherwise the only deceptive thing is the title.

SCORES (out of 5):

The Movie: 2.0

Video: 4.5

Sound: 4.0

Extras: 2.0

Bottom Line: 2.5