Deception [DVD]

By Clint Morris

“Deception” is a peculiar beast – as kinky as a cheap garden hose, but never quite as exciting as watering that beautiful flower display, it’s a mixed-bag of cheap thrills and laughable twists all wrapped up in one pretty-ass package.

Directed by Marcel Langenegger and starring Hollywood A-listers Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor and Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain”), “Deception” stars Jackman as a charming but mysterious stranger who helps bored accountant Ewan McGregor get laid – via a ‘dial some sex’ service that ol’ Wolverine is a member of.

He ends up falling for one of his new, er, mates (Michelle Williams) – but not before she disappears into the night, seemingly snatched by the new friend.

Hugh Jackman’s production company isn’t off to a great start. Seed’s first foray into television, the critically-maligned “Viva Laughlin”, was yanked after only a week due to piss-poor ratings and even more frightening reviews. And then this, at one stage built up to one of Twentieth Century Fox’s main releases of the year, makes far from the Mermaid’s tail-size Splash at the box office Jackman and co intended it to. In fact, “Deception” disappeared from theatres quicker than “Laughlin” did from TV screens.

And there’s a reason for that. It ain’t that hot a film. You’ve seen it done a million times before – just not with such high-calibre actors in the central roles. It’s actually surprising that Ewan McGregor wanted to do the film, let alone Jackman – whose role here is, to say the least, thankless. And surprisingly, both of the guys aren’t that good in the film – either they’re bored, just there for the cheque, or convinced audiences will flock to them whether they ‘bother’ or not, but one thing’s for sure, they’ve both been much better. And so has McGregor’s American accent.

It’s an entertaining-enough film and the twist is quite commendable, but for such a star-heavy piece, one will expect a bit more bang for their buck. DTV sexpot Natasha Henstridge, who has a very small role in the film, could’ve easily have been promoted to the film’s headline act and it’d still play just as well, but more so, more cost-effectively for the hatchling shingle.

Extras

Audio commentary (with Director Marcel Langenegger), Featurette (Exposing the Deception:The Making of the Film), Other (Club Sexy), Bonus footage (Deleted Scenes)  (Extras Unpreviewed)