The Double

Topher Sophistication and Richard Gere synergy to battle Russian espionage within the Double.A Picture Entertainment discharge of a Hyde Park Entertainment presentation in colaboration with Imagenation Abu Dhabi, as well as an Ashok Amritraj production in colaboration with Brandt/Haas Prods. Created by Ashok Amritraj, Patrick Aiello, Derek Haas, Andrew Deane. Executive producers, Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Edward Borgerding. Co-producers, Stefan Brunner, Manu Gargi. Directed by Michael Brandt. Script, Brandt, Derek Haas.Paul Shepherdson - Richard Gere Ben Geary - Topher Sophistication Tom Highland - Martin Sheen Brutus - Stephen Moyer Natalie - Odette Yustman Amber - Stana Katic Oliver - Chris Marquette Bozlovski - Tamer HassanLike a magician carrying out one a lot of methods, "The Double" overplays its deceptiveness while spinning a mildly directing yarn in regards to a vet CIA spook and also the more youthful FBI agent working alongside him. That there is nothing as it appears is componen for that course within this make of spy thriller, along with a mediocre script by debuting director Michael Brandt and co-author Derek Haas does nothing to renew the genre. Mismatched against brawnier early fall fare, the pic will earn the majority of its gold coin in vid-drop spots. Topical relevancy frequently serves spy movies well, however the focus here on Russian espionage provides the pic a dated feel. The experience starts, rather muddily, with a set of apparently unrelated episodes -- the border crossing of several Russians and also the alleyway murder of the U.S. senator. CIA director Tom Highland (Martin Sheen, in "West Wing" mode, only inside a far more dark role) immediately spots the job of well known Russian spy Cassius in the manner the senator's throat continues to be slit, and earns upon the market CIA procedures ace Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere) to consider the situation. Paul, however, is dismissive from the director's hunch, insisting he wiped out Cassius in the past. Meanwhile FBI cub Ben Geary (Topher Sophistication), a veritable student of Cassius since his college days, is for certain the Russian superspy is in the overall game. In keeping with formula, Paul and Ben are paired, not to mention take an instantaneous dislike to 1 other, with Paul dubbing Ben "a librarian." With what in the beginning appears just like a perverse turn, auds are brought to think that Paul, who shows an uncanny capability to eliminate competitors with Cassius' allegedly unique techniques, isn't whom he seems to become. But this skill could as quickly function as the consequence of Paul getting went after his prey such a long time that he's arrived at absorb his nemesis' secrets of the pros. Cumbersome flashbacks complete certain particulars regarding Paul's history with Tom, together with a period in Paris within the 1980s when Paul offered his services towards the CIA. But in our, surveillance video signifies that individuals Russians in the border have been in the U.S. on some type of mission, recommending that Cassius, if he's still alive, might be as much as something large. Following a second area op leaves a wake of corpses with similar mark because the senator, Ben develops concered about his partner. Simultaneously, Paul alerts Ben's wife Natalie (Odette Yustman) that they should simply tell him he's precariously in over his mind, and also to retreat in the situation. While there is the sense this some guyOryouthful guy spy position continues to be done better by films like "Spy Game" about ten years ago, Gere, never searching harder or handsomer, and Sophistication, adding action abilities to his relatively cerebral persona, invigorate the proceedings in roles that will appear to profit the actors' career arcs. Yet both ultimately have a problem with third-act twists that stretch credibility beyond the breaking point. Brandt's direction misses many possibilities to supply visual texture and touches that may underline the movie's styles of deceptiveness and uncertainty, even while the script pushes increasingly more toward implausibility. A vehicle chase late within the film appears an inadequate method to inject excitement that could have been better offered up via clever storytelling, which, alas, is missing. A lot of the film rests on Gere's and Grace's confident shoulders, that are almost sufficiently strong to transmit the pic over. Supporting roles are unmemorable, aside from Sheen'sworld-weary CIA professional. Jeffrey L. Kimball's versatile cinematography provides ominous emotions both in inky-black night time and intensely vibrant daytime configurations, and Giles Masters' reality-based production design is solid.Camera (Luxurious color, Panavision widescreen), Jeffrey L. Kimball editor, Steven Mirkovich music, John Debney production designer, Giles Masters art director, Caty Maxey set designer, Sarah M. Pott set designers, Erin Boyd, Daniel Bahorski, Dajuan Lawson costume designer, Aggie Guerard Rodgers seem (Datasat/Dolby Digital), Dennis Grzesik supervisory seem editor, Jim Brookshire re-recording mixers, Jonathan Wales, Richard "Tricky" Kitting visual effects administrators, Sean Findley, Troy Morgan effects supervisor, Ken Gorrel visual effects, Publish Mango Visual Effects stunt planners, David Barrett, Lance Gilbert assistant director, Paul Grinder casting, Kelly Wagner. Examined at Wilshire screening room, Beverly Hillsides, August. 31, 2011. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 98 MIN.(British, Russian, The spanish language dialogue) Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com