There is not much to keep the audience guessing in the generic psychological thriller Deception. The story is so by-the-numbers that the outcome can easily be figured out long before the movie ends. The only real mystery of this film is what inspired the promising cast to take part in such tripe.
Ewan McGregor plays Jonathan, a timid accountant with little going on in his life. To his credit, McGregor does a good job playing against type (especially considering this character is about as cliched as it gets), though he struggles with the American accent at times. He is convincing as the lonely heart accountant who doesn’t realize anything is really missing in his life until someone comes along to show him otherwise. As Jonathan works late into the night crunching numbers for a corporate audit, he is approached by Wyatt (Hugh Jackman), a playboy lawyer, who seems to have everything. Wyatt strikes up a conversation with Jonathan and the two become fast friends within a matter of minutes.
In no time at all they are smoking pot after hours in the office, playing tennis, and eating at fancy restaurants. But just as the title suggests, things are not exactly what they seem. Jonathan and Wyatt accidentally swap phones. Soon thereafter, Jonathan starts receiving unsolicited phone calls from strange women. It turns out, Wyatt belonged to a secret sex club whose members are all upper echelon business people. Basically, one man phones a woman - or vice-versa - and asks if they are "available." If so, the person who initiated the call picks a hotel where they will meet. No names are exchanged. Jonathan, armed with Wyatt's phone and contact list, assumes membership and sets up many anonymous meetings. Wyatt even offers his blessing when asked if he minds. This aspect of the movie was actually somewhat intriguing but unfortunately is only a minor part of the story. Instead the plot becomes a convulted mess of duplicity and espionage. Michelle Williams plays "S," a mysterious woman, whom Jonathan falls in love with after seeing her boarding the same subway as he. It turns out that "S" belongs to the sex club as well. What a coincidence!
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