“What if you had to tell someone the most important thing in the world, but you knew they’d never believe you” – Doug Carlin
You ever get the sense that maybe you’re reliving the same moment over again? Kind of feel like all your days are blending into one? Maybe going slightly mad? That’s how this virus is leaving me, but that’s why this 2006 action thriller makes for good viewing during these tough times.
Denzel Washington stars as ATF agent Doug Carlin. Assigned to a case in which saw over 500 civilians die in a ferry explosion. Not everything is what it seems however, when a women is found washed up on shore under very different circumstances. Further investigation of her body dictates a seperate act of terrorism that could link the two cases. Doug’s dedication to the case catches the eye of a special surveillance team, who’s unique technology and time constraints allow Doug and his team to analyse and further understand the apparent act of terrorism. Now, with little time and almost no evidence to go from, they must use what resources they have, to catch whoever is responsible.
The second of five collaborations between director Tony Scott and actor Denzel Washington, and my personal favourite. It puts a scientific spin on an otherwise standard cop based set up. It’s often too smart for its own good, and with Scott’s direction leaning more heavily towards a more action based thriller, than taking its time and focusing on its more ambitious script, it leaves more questions than it does answer them.
Had it stayed more in tune with the original script, we’d perhaps be looking at a more polished but far more perplexing picture. The frantic editing style that had become accustom to every Scott directed movie (certainly in the later years of his career), is perhaps more poignant here than ever before. But blends seamlessly into the fast paced action segments to a point where it just feels normal.
Deja Vu never was Tony Scott’s grandest achievement (or Denzel’s for that matter), but it’s the right amount of silly to become perhaps his most enjoyable. A film thats final delivery isn’t nearly as serious as intended, a lead actor during the height of his career, and a director that was untouchable when it came to dumb, chaotic action. It still manages to hold up today.
Critical Clay 