Multiplicity
Have you ever thought to yourself, "I wish I had more time to do the things I want?" Well, most of us have. Multiplicity uses that premise and turns it into a charming, but not-very-funny love story with a twist. The only problem with the movie is that it really isn't that funny. The previews show the movie as a side-splitting comedy, but the movie only made me smile and, at the most, laugh a little. There is only one funny moment that I found myself laughing out loud.
The movie opens with Doug Kinney (Michael Keaton) running around trying to get things at his office straightened out and finished. However, he spends so much time at his job, that he doesn't spend any time with his family. After his wife (Andie MacDowell) tells him that she wants to get a job, he tells her that she can't get a job. She gets mad at him which sets up the big plot spin. One day, Doug, who is a contractor, is working for a think-tank institute led by Dr. Leeds (Harris Yulin). When the doctor sees how much Doug is struggling, he offers him a solution: cloning. "You Xerox people?" he asks.
After he gets cloned, Doug 1 takes Doug 2 home. They even have tatoos behind their ears to tell them apart. Doug 1 cleans up the garage so that Doug 2 can live there. Doug 2 is even more of a workaholic than Doug 1 is. So, Doug 1 decides to take his free time and golf. But his wife, who has now gotten a job, asks him to take care of the kids. After his house begins to turn into a mess, he decides to get another clone. Hence, Doug 3, who is the feminine side of Doug 1. Doug 4 shows up after the two clones decide to make a copy of a copy. And everyone knows that a copy of a copy is not as clear and bright as the original.
You can actually predict some of the hilarious moments that might occur, but none of them do. That's what I was disappointed with. I was thinking there would be more times like the one in the restaurant. It's the funniest scene in the movie and I wanted to see more like it. Of course, there aren't, but there are a couple scenes that were like it but just weren't funny. So why give it 3 stars? The special effects, for one, and Michael Keaton's performance.
The special effects are better than any other movie like this. One examply is the chest bounce which is probably the most significant. I really don't know how they did it, but it is completely realistic and believable. The characters walk around each other and look like they are talking to each other. Another pretty good moment is very subtle and you really don't know that it is a special effect. It is the moment where Doug 2 throws Doug 1 a beer. It was probably easy to film, but it is a cute moment and boggles the mind for a second.
The performance by Keaton is probably one of his best. This is his first movie since Batman Returns (and I still think he is the best Batman to date) and it is pretty good. The distinguishing characteristic of this movie from other movies like it is the different characters. Keaton provides each with their own little characteristics and different attitudes. Doug 1 is the combination of all of them. Doug 2 is the wild man/workaholic. Doug 3 is the family man. Doug 4, well, he's just stupid. It must have been hard for Keaton to do all these parts, or even to keep them all straight. As for the other performers, MacDowell is good and charming, but I didn't buy her character not figuring out what was happening. Harris Yulin is good in his small performance as the Doctor.
Multiplicity is rated PG-13. The language is nowhere near the PG-13 limit, in fact it's probably less harsh than some PG rated movies. But the sexual situations are a bit harsh and even explicit in a way (though it shows no nudity). The movie is not suitable for little kids, but I don't think it deserved the PG-13 rating. Most of the things in the movie are shown on TV nowadays, not that it makes it any better. However, the entire family might enjoy the multiple Dougs, even though the movie isn't that funny.