Julia Roberts may nab a fourth Golden Globe for 'Duplicity'
Prior to the release of "Duplicity," award watchers had to wonder if Julia Roberts suffered from the Oscar Curse. You know, win an Oscar, then disappear — at least from significance. (We're talking about you, Helen Hunt and Cuba Gooding Jr.) The Academy Award champ for "Erin Brockovich" hasn't made many movies of importance in recent years. "Charlie Wilson's War" and "The Closer" showed great early awards promise but fizzled at the Oscars, making us wonder if Julia Roberts was burning out as superstar.
"Duplicity" looks like a comeback of sorts for Julia Roberts. It's a box-office hit getting mixed to terrific reviews, making us wonder next: Is this just a throwaway thriller that won't matter much on the kudos scene (like the "Bourne" flicks, which "Duplicity" scribe Tony Gilroy penned) or one of the rare gems of that genre that succeed at the Oscars and Golden Globes (like "Michael Clayton," which Gilroy also wrote and directed)?
The answer seems to be somewhere in between, which probably means it may register with Golden Globe voters but probably not academy members. At least not in the top categories. It may have Oscar hope in the tech slots considering its cinematographer is Robert Elswit (Oscar champ, "There Will Be Blood") and music score by James Newton Howard (no wins but nine nominations, including "Michael Clayton").
Entertainment Weekly gives the movie a "B" grade but adds this lament: "'Duplicity' doesn't have depth."
The L.A. Times describes "Duplicity" as "sleek, dizzying entertainment," calling this screen tale of competing spies (Roberts and Clive Owen) toying with each other romantically "essentially 'Michael Clayton Lite.' "
The New York Times says, " 'Duplicity' is superior entertainment, the most elegantly pleasurable movie of its kind to come around in a very long time. ... It's a sharp, sexy comedy masquerading as a twisty tale of intrigue, and vice versa."
The Golden Globes do love Julia Roberts. Assuming "Duplicity" is entered in the comedy/musical categories, she has a good shot at a nomination, and the movie and Clive Owen may nab top bids too considering those award slots are usually less crowded than the drama categories.
Roberts has been nominated on six occasions at the Globes and won 50% of the time. Her three victories: "Erin Brockovich" (best drama actress, 2000), "Pretty Woman" (best comedy/musical actress, 1990) and "Steel Magnolias" (best supporting actress, 1989).
Her three losses: "Charlie Wilson's War" (best supporting actress, 2007), "Notting Hill" (best musical/comedy actress, 1999) and "My Best Friend's Wedding" (best comedy/musical actress, 1997).
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Photo: Universal Pictures
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You are the first journalist that I have read about in saying that Dupicity is a box office hit. It seems all the other media is proclaiming it as at the very least a miss, and at the very most, a flop. What was the budget of this movie anyway? I read that the first weekend's entire gross won't even cover Julia Robert's salary alone...
Posted by: lindsey | March 24, 2009 at 04:36 PM
What's the matter with L.A. and New York Times. Duplicity is the worst movie that I have seen this year. The only movie that I have ever walked out in the middle of it. I wanted my money back, but I misplaced my stub. Another thing, Julia is to old and ugly to be another Angelina wannabe.
Posted by: NOELIA | March 23, 2009 at 06:36 PM
huh?! too much time on your hands mr. o'neil? oh i see, while tapping your fingernails on the table and thinking of something to earn today's pay, you fantasized about the 2010 awards season. voila! acting awards for julia roberts and clive owen. cute idea, you thought...
not.funny.
Posted by: alluhrey | March 23, 2009 at 07:52 AM
In this day and age...who cares? As a teacher, parent and independent I am so disgusted with this type of talk. Who is Julia Roberts? Who cares?? Listening to an interview she came across as a self-centered person who has begun to believe her own publicity..what an ego!
Posted by: Independent Thinker | March 22, 2009 at 01:59 PM