Duplicity
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The Story
He’s a former MI-6 agent; she was CIA when she burned him for some national secrets during a one-night stand. Now Ray (Clive Owen) and Claire (Julia Roberts) are corporate spies working together (maybe) to steal the secret of a breakthrough new product from one corporate CEO (Tom Wilkonson) to deliver it to another (Paul Giamatti).
They’re also trying to build a relationship based on lots of sex and their mutual mistrust (maybe), as well as both following probable angles of their own in this pretzel-twisty romantic spy/caper/con/heist flick from writer/director Tony Gilroy.
Content Issues
Both Ray and Claire have sex with people while working undercover. Couples are seen in bed, as well as seen undressing in surveilance photes. Brief female nudity is glimpsed. In addition, swearing is harsh and frequent and includes the use of Jesus’ name. Lots of alcohol is consumed.
Worldview Talking Points
The worldview of “Duplicity” is that while the spy game might be challenging and fun, to a point, it is also costly. Relationships for liars are extremely difficult. And by the end of the film, writer/director Tony Gilroy seems to be making a point that maybe we should not be rooting for the people who lie and steal for a living.
The following questions might generate some helpful conversation with your student if he/she happens to see the film:
- Do you like spy movies or caper films where a bunch of people work together to try to pull of a big heist? If so, what are some of your favorites?
- What’s your favorite Julia Roberts movie? Clive Owen flick?
- Did you figure out what was really going on in this film before it was over?
- On a scale from 1 to 10, what would you rate this movie?
- Do you think people need to tell each other the truth all of the time in order to have a good relationship? Why or why not?
- Do you think a good relationship can be built on two people having lots of sex and then thinking about maybe becoming a couple? Why or why not?
- Do you think there’s an ethical difference between spying for a nation (like a CIA agent) and spying for a corporation? What would be wrong with spying for a corporation to try to steal secrets?
- Do you think a person could live in obedience to the Bible and still be a good spy?
- Do you think it’s wrong to lie all of the time, even if it’s part of your job?
- Do you think God would ever lie? (See Titus 1:2.)
- How do you think God feels about our lying? (See Proverbs 6:16-19.)
- Do you think it’s ever okay to lie? If so, how often would that kind of exception come up in real life?
- What’s the cost of a lie, even if you don’t ever get caught? What did lying cost the characters in this movie?
Comments
DoRight on May 08, 2009 said...
Reminds me of Fred G, a teacher I had who had been in gov’t service (never revealed with whom though he was a martial arts expert and worked in Cambodia and Laos during the 70s). He said of all those in his group that started together, his was the only marriage that survived - and that only because his wife was such a strong, forgiving christian. His relationship with God suffered likewise and ONLY survived because of the goodness and faithfulness of his wife, according to Fred.
Frank Brown on Apr 03, 2009 said...
I don’t think I’m going to see this movie, let alone let my kids see it. The characters presented are centered on their ability to lie and cheat…not lifestyles I want my kids to think are ok. What do you guys think?
—
Frank
DUI lawyer