Marcel
Langenegger tries to trick the public into watching his latest sexy thriller by
advertising big actor names instead of a good story.
It
is unsure why Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor and Michelle Williams agreed to star
in the film, but it is a sure thing they will not be too proud of it.
McGregor
has a boring role that does not allow him to reveal his true acting qualities,
interpreting Jonathan McQuarry, a rather shy and dull corporate accountant,
with no family, friends or social life.
Surprisingly,
he befriends a successful attorney and playboy named Wyatt, who oddly seems
to be looking for friends duller than himself.
After
meeting Wyatt, Jonathan’s life changes completely and he enters a mysterious circle
of people interested in anonymous one-night stands, a luxurious sex club called
“The List.” Things seem to go great for Jonathan until he meets a sad, blonde
beauty, played, of course, by Michelle Williams. He falls head over heels in love with
her, and when she warns him she would complicate his life, he appears not to be
scared of such a cliché and is willing to accept any complications. Too bad for
him.
Obviously,
this is where the thrilling part starts, with Jonathan’s life getting messed up
after the mystery blonde is kidnapped.
All
in all, a film where the sex scenes are non-erotic although Williams looks at
her best, the climax is non-thrilling and the characters are stereotypical: the
blonde beauty, the bad guy and the good (and silly) guy.
Probably
because director Langenegger comes from the world of TV commercials, the film
lacks warmth and passion and it has instead the cold glow of a magazine’s
cover.
If
anyone is still interested in seeing it, even if only for the actors, the film
opens Friday.
Starring:
Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams, Natasha Henstridge, Charlotte
Rampling
Director:
Marcel Langenegger
Rating: R
for sexual content, language, brief violence and some drug use
Running time:
1 hour, 48 minutes