The Double - Film Review

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Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Chris O'Dowd, Sally Hawkins, Gemma Chan, Wallace Shawn, Cathy Moriarty and Noah Taylor
Directed By: Richard Ayoade
Rated: M
Playing exclusively at Dendy Newtown from 8th May

Adapted from the Fyodor Dostoevsky novella also entitled The Double is this modern-day retelling, this time told from the direction of British writer, director and performer Richard Ayoade . It's about hapless human being Simon ( Jesse Eisenberg ) who meets his exact physical double, James (naturally, also played by Eisenberg), who is as charismatic and assertive as Simon is mild-mannered and awkward. Simon longs for the girl, recognition at work and generally just the chance to not feel invisible, but James moves in on his territory, and Simon's world is turned topsy-turvy. Basically, it's like those Bupa ads where there's a "healthier you", except in the world of The Double, the healthier and the crappier you exist in the same universe and are fighting for the same life.



And what a universe it is! From the opening scene on the train, you're already aware that Simon isn't just the typical "lovable loser". He is a loser. His commute to work is possibly any commuter's worst nightmare. It's like you're set up to think this film is a big fat F.U to the rate race, but it's so much more than that. Before you know it, The Double has morphed into a film about existence and what it means to be thought of as an individual, because what if you are replaceable?

The world of The Double is set some time in the future, but the themes are common to us in the present day. As co-producer Robin C. Fox says, "Loneliness and feeling undervalued are universal". Although set in some sort of future, this is not the kind of slick automated future that Apple ads and Mashable articles would have you believe in, it's a cinematically dark film, shot with very little light and in numerous tones of brown, grey and black. You are essentially entering a world without colour. In fact, the one scene that may stand out as visually bright is the ballroom scene (where Simon gets unceremoniously evicted from the party).



The displeasure and depression doesn't let up. Simon's workplace and work colleagues are dismal. A comedic yet gloomy conversation occurs between Simon and his boss, played by Wallace Shawn (The Princess Bride, My Dinner with Andre,) where his boss asks him, "Just started, hey?". Simon answers with, "Yes sir, 7 years ago". Oh geez. It's funny but it touches a nerve. Haven't we all felt like that at some point in our careers, underappreciated and unnoticed?

Whilst this is very much a dark comedy (in more ways than one), the performances are pretty good. Eisenberg's clipped, softly spoken delivery of James suits him (his voice has always intrigued me). He is perfect as Simon, but also equally at home playing the self-assured James. Eisenberg has that whole "socially inept" character down pat, poor possum.

Mia Wasikowska , as love interest Hannah, is the only other bright spark in Simon's life. Ironically, she is a bit of an Alice in Wonderland-esque character here, in that her very presence seems to bamboozle Simon. Her role in the film exemplifies Simon's frustrations at never getting anything to go his way, always being faced with the illogical in something that should be very straightforward. In the scene where Simon is at the café with Hannah, he is given the wrong order of drink, and tells her, "I think I ordered an orange juice". Hannah tells him, "Why do you come here?". Simon tells her, "I think I'm quite loyal", and then trails off. Wasikowska does a great job here of balancing Simon's bewilderment with her nonchalance.



Look out for Australia's own Noah Taylor (Shine, Almost Famous and now as the Kingslayer's hand slayer Locke on Game of Thrones) as Simon's colleague Harris, who tells Simon, "You're pretty unnoticeable. A bit of a non-person". I don't know about you, but it really suits Taylor playing this smarmy, self-serving character (although I will always love him in He Died with a Falafel in His Hand ).

For those playing at home, yes, Ayoade does use his old The I.T Crowd alumni – that's Chris O'Dowd and Christopher Morris in very small cameos. It helps to have friends in high places.

On a side note, I love the mix of accents here – American, British, Aussie/American (thanks Mia). It all works, whatever is going on. I especially loved the score and the soundtrack, lending a little bit of light-hearted gloom (if there is such a thing) in some scenes and then intense emotional trauma in others.



The Double is an entertaining film and will be enjoyed by anyone going through a bit of an existential crisis. Probably not one to show new employees during their first day's orientation session, though. But this is the Official Selection for the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was the Official Selection for the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, so it will be given the praise and recognition for originality it deserves. Something poor Simon could only hope for.


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