by Eric Green
Two films, worlds apart, are both examples of corporate greed and power. The one is a highly fashionable treatment and the other a grimy, down-and-out crude crime novel.
"Duplicity" is filled with beautiful people; lead by Clive Owen and Julia Roberts; and Gomorra features low lifes that make the Soprano's cast look beautiful.
The films depart from the current world financial crisis due to the plot of Duplicity. Boardroom fights over billions and egos is now a distant memory as those same people are left scrambling for their bonuses and for some their jobs. The gaming of "Duplilcity" is no longer seen as "fun and games." The security capers depicted in "Duplicity" are now the Wall Street crooks and schemers trying to avoid federal investigators for violating federal laws and regulations
Gomorra's theme remains quite active. Taking place in Naples, Italy, the plot of drug dealing and waste dumping [with the continuing exploitation of workers in the garment industry] remains an active part of that place and around the world.
Which leaves Gomorra the film to see, if you can handle a totally down and out grimy existence of the mob; and "Duplicity" to skip.
Tony Gilroy's film, "Duplicity" is clearly meant for box office millions; and, it has achieved those results. His previous successes made this film a foregone conclutions: "Michael Clayton" and the "Bourne" films.
Martin Scorsese supported film "Gomorra" is not meant for that level of financial success. The director, book and screenplay by: Matteo Garrone, Roberto Saviano and Maurizio Braucci, respectively, produced the actual film. The film was released in May, 2008, but just released in the U.S.
"Gomorra" is meant for the U.S. audiences, but it won't cater to all of the television cops show genre audiences. The low cost of a human life in Naples whether in the drug wars, hazardous waste dumping or in the mob controlled garment industry is far less than on television sets. The film would be even too much for some of the fans of "Oz" and "The Wire."
