Multiplicity

I cannot believe how many negative responses this film has had. In Perth it is showing this week on television, and the TV guide labelled it the worst film of the week. What is wrong with everyone?

This is just a light, fluffy movie with some genuinely funny moments. Michael Keaton would have had a nightmare of a time in this role(s). Imagine having to act with three other guys who aren't there. The beauty of his acting is, you can tell which clone is which. It's almost as if there are four different actors, al a Jeremy Irons in Dead Ringers.

I agree Andie MacDowell isn't anything more than eye candy, but she hasn't got a lot to work with. This is Michael's film, which he shares with the excellent visual effects. I don't understand how anyone couldn't enjoy this film. Maybe those people can watch The English Patient or A Passage To India for the hundredth time. Enjoy!

In the post-Matrix era, it's very easy to take the special effects for granted, but this movie is awesome and showcases the wonderful talent of Michael Keaton. He shows an EXTREME range, in that all the iterations of "Doug" are COMPLETELY different. They realistically seem like completely different people. Just watch the movie again and imagine a different actors face on each "Doug", which is not very hard because each one DOES have completely different expressions, mannerisms, etc. (i.e "Number 1"'s look of surprise when something unexpected happens is not the same as any of the others look of surprise) Summary: I believe most of the appeal of this movie is Michael Keaton's performance. You would expect that since he plays 4 characters, it would be kind of cheesy because they would be too similar and would just seem goofy. It's not. It's like 4 totally separate actors who happen to have Michael Keaton's face.

Doug Kinney never has enough time to do what he wants to do, his life is frantic and his family life is strained, then one day he gets the chance to have himself duplicated.

It would seem that a lot of complaints about this film are about it being a waste of a good premise, well for sure Multiplicity is far from being a comic masterpiece, but to say it doesn't deliver laughs set amongst its charming romantic heart, is a touch unfair I feel. What we get here is four Doug Kinney's, each one having their own driving personality to make it real easy for the audience to distinguish which is which. So, with Michael Keaton delivering four excellent performances as the Dougs, the comic relief flows pretty much all through the picture.

However, director Harold Ramis is guilty of staying safe with the material to hand because from the off the conclusion is never in doubt, the feel good factor is evident even as the Dougs are chaotically imploding. But is that really a reason to do the film down? Well no as far as I'm concerned, Multiplicity is a tidy fusion of sci-fi comedy and romance that isn't taking the science literally.

For Doug number 4 alone, with his skiing skills and pizza fetish, this film deserves 7/10, whilst Keaton deserves a far higher score indeed.

I think this was a good film with a good concept and adequate execution. Michael Keaton is a workaholic who doesn't have any time for his family, so he goes to a scientist who clones him so he can have the best of both worlds. Complications ensue, however, and Keaton finds that things are going as expected, so he proceeds to make more duplicates, which of course leads to further complications. I loved the part where the duplicates make one of themselves, whom the original Keaton refers to as "Rain Man." The bedroom, home, and work scenes are all hilarious, and the movie also has a good cast. If you want to see a good comedy, I recommend this one. You won't be disappointed.

** 1/2 out of ****

I have to say when I saw the IMDb rating for this movie I was surprised. I was tempted to vote it a ten just to raise the average, but I gave it what I honestly think it deserves- a solid 7. Don't expect too much from this flick. The "deeper meanings" are mildly interesting and there is some worthwhile messages, but I like it just to relax and enjoy. If you just go into it looking for a few laughs you will be rewarded. It's not fall down funny but I get some very good chuckles throughout this movie. I'm a Michael Keaton fan, and I thin he does screwball comedy very well. His performance in this role as he portrays the distinctive sides of his personality in individual clones is impressive as he is spot on with each one. Andie MacDowell is always a joy to watch.

Worth a look, and I enjoy it every time it come on cable!