Rating of
3/4
A Reflection of Self
Chris Kavan - wrote on 09/07/14
Simon is a nobody stuck in a drab, bureaucratic world where everyone seems to be a faceless drones and suicides are prevalent. His only outlet is pining over Hannah, a woman who works in the same building and lives across the street in another apartment, which he views through a telescope. He watches her, but cannot reach out to her - the closest he can get is gathering up pieces of paper she draws on and then throws away.
Everything changes with the arrival of a fresh, new talent to the company - a man who looks exactly like Simon, but is the opposite of him: charismatic, seductive, confident - and Simon slowly watches at this doppelganger takes over his life, from taking credit for his work to going after the women in his life. Eventually he cracks.
The Double is based off a Fyodor Dostoevsky story and is a mix of several different elements - mainly I found myself thinking of Terry Gilliam's Brazil as well as elements of Fight Club and the surreal experience of David Lynch. But while the elements are there, I think the film stands alone and a lot of the credit goes the cinematography - which really is outstanding. The angles, lighting even the strange Japanese music used throughout - it all sets the stage for this world which is wholly unique, but doesn't feel so strange as to completely remove you from the story.
The characters are great - Jesse Eisenberg does a fantastic job of portraying both the meek and forgettable Simon as well as the cocky and somewhat repugnant James. I also liked Wallace Shawn as his boss (Mr. Papadopoulos) and Yasmin Paige as the bosses somewhat goth daughter. Cathy Moriarty and Phyllis Somerville have nice parts as a typical waitress and Simon's ailing mother respectively. Add in Mia Wasikowska as the lonely love interest and you have solid cast that really sells this somewhat bizarre tale.
I am not going to say this film is for everyone - this is one of those rare films you have to actually pay attention to - but compared to the typical Hollywood fare, it provides a breath of fresh air. It's a bit on the depressing side, but for those tired of the overblown blockbusters and who want something with depth and creativity - this film is for you.
