Genre: Drama, mystery
Duplicity is the latest Tyler Perry film to be added to the growing list of bad movies written, produced, and directed by Perry. The initial premise, the cinematography and the casting offer an illusion of a well-made film, but by the end of its runtime, viewers will be left with confusion and questions, instead of answers and satisfaction.
The plot centres on Marley (Kat Graham) a high-powered attorney who is faced with her most personal case yet when she is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the shooting of her best friend’s husband. With the help of her boyfriend Tony (Tyler Lepley), her search for the truth leads her down a road of deception, lies and betrayal.
The film tackles the sensitive issue of police brutality, but to say it was handled well, would be inaccurate. An unarmed black man dying at the hands of a white policeman is an unfortunate reality that many are faced with, and one would think a seasoned director like Perry would handle the story with great care.
The movie tries to combine legal drama and mystery but ends up feeling like two unfinished movies in one. The legal drama side, which follows Marley’s fight for justice, lacks depth and feels rushed; while the mystery side introduces dramatic twists that feel out of place and underdeveloped. As a result, both storylines feel incomplete, neither reaching a satisfying conclusion.
Graham’s performance is to be commended. She convincingly portrays her character’s grief, frustration, and moral conflict, making her one of the film’s few highlights.
She brings intensity to the role, especially in courtroom scenes and emotional confrontations, showing her range as an actress.
The ending on the boat feels abrupt and unsatisfying, as it attempts to wrap up the film’s mysteries with a final twist that just feels forced. While it does aim to deliver a dramatic and suspenseful conclusion, it doesn’t provide the emotional payoff the audience expects after the complicated plot.
The characters’ motivations and the resolution of key conflicts leave so many questions unanswered. Instead of feeling like a thrilling climax, the boat scene feels like a last-ditch effort to tie up loose ends, leaving viewers disappointed.
Visually, the film is great to watch. The shots are stunning, and the cast members are all good-looking, otherwise that is as far as the pleasures of this film go.
Duplicity is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
