The Double looks to combine the espionage thriller and the serial killer procedural, but suffers from a severe lack of credibility. The old hand/rookie formula might have elevated the proceedings beyond either of those confinements, but it is placed in the hands of two actors who carry none of the grit or gravitas necessary to make what's essentially a Cold War thriller in the modern day anything other than silly. The only bright spot might be the occasional presence of Martin Sheen, but he disappears for such a long period of time that it feels as if he's embarrassed.
Richard Gere and Topher Grace play a retired CIA man and a fresh FBI agent (respectively) who are forced to work with each other upon the reemergence of Cassius, a murderer from the Soviet era long believed dead. Gere's character is the sort of role occupied by Harrison Ford lately; world-weary, angry, disconnected from even civil (let alone humane) interaction. The trouble is that nothing in the world can make Gere appear to be any of those things. His hair is too nicely permed, and his baby-face just begs to be framed as if he were in a perfume advertisement. Though closer to the mark, Grace isn't entirely convincing either. As always, he emanates cocky smarm with every over-accentuated line delivery, but probably couldn't believably threaten someone with a gun if his life depended on it.
But then, it's possible that no casting could have made The Double appear to be anything but dated. The Cold War talking points frequently make it seem as if the film was made prior to 9/11, and the frequent reversals of fortune stretch both credulity and patience.
SPECIAL FEATURES
There's an audio commentary with the director, a featurette, and a trailer.
"The Double" is on sale January 31, 2012 and is rated R. Action. Directed by Michael Brandt. Written by Michael Brandt, Derek Haas. Starring Martin Sheen, Richard Gere, Topher Grace.
