On M List of Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)

---

Multiplicity (1996)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 7/25

7/25: It only takes a goldmine premise to make a film and a bad director to tear it down partially.

That's what happened to Multiplicity. There are not one or two or three but four Michael Keatons in the same film. It's ingenious, requiring extensive special effects work. The other option is finding a real quadruplet to pull it off. What a surprise the movie lost money at the box office. I thought people would like it.

There are funny moments, thanks to Michael Keaton's antics. I like the issues that cloning presents and a couple of witty lines: "I trust him like I trust myself" and "Oh, my God, Doug. You could have bipolar disorder or multiple personalities." Andie MacDowell hasn't done well in some romantic comedies like Green Card and Just the Ticket, but she's a lot better this time.

However, the movie is way too long. Seeing three or four Michael Keatons in many scenes can sometimes be overwhelming. The decision to turn the third clone into a full-blown mental retard is a mistake that's rather offensive. Secondary characters are simply discarded, and the worst of them all is the scientist, played by Harris Yulin, when he should be providing help and advice. The original husband going away for a sailing trip makes zero sense.

All in all, Multiplicity is a must-see film for Michael Keaton fans, but a better director than Harold Ramis is needed to reach for full entertainment.

---