Paranoia

It's always good to see Aussies working in Hollywood, especially when it's an Aussie director working with an Aussie star, but something about Paranoia seems to miss the mark. Maybe it has something to do with an interesting idea not being translated to the screen in a definite enough manner.

Adam Cassidy (Liam Hemsworth) is a young tech guru working an entry level position for technology giant run by Nicholas Wyatt (Gary Oldman). After a night on the town using the office credit card, Cassidy is blackmailed into spying on Wyatt's former mentor, Jock Goddard (Harrison Ford).

The concept behind this film is excellent, industrial espionage that leads to paranoia from the stress of living a strange double life for the young protagonist. However, it might have come apart in the translation of idea to paper or script to screen. I am inclined to say the latter.

I have to admit that I am not all that familiar with Robert Luketic's work, although I did see 2010's spy rom-com Killers. But looking back at his body of work, he seems to be more at home working in the rom-com genre. He did direct 21, but as I understand it, that was more a heist drama than a complex thriller.

One note of praise I do have is for the performances from Liam Hemsworth and Amber Heard. Hemsworth does have actual talent and is not just swimming in the wake of his older brother Thor as some people would believe. I feel as though a performance in an indie film of some sort would do him good to show off this talent rather than a star vehicle orchestrated by a studio to make cash.

Amber Heard also gives a decent performance and has real talent also. I feel as though many model/actresses are hired more for their looks than for having talent, but Heard has both. She has a real presence when on screen and shows that she can play with experienced actors, such as when she shares the screen with Harrison Ford. I am looking forward to seeing her in the upcoming Machete Kills.

As for Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman, this two actors have been working longer than I've been alive and should know better than to take roles like this. I know they only do movies like this for the pay-check, but a feel as though with their experience and age, they can afford to pick the roles that they take.

Verdict: A premise with potential that just crumbled in the hands of an inexperienced director. Stellar performances from the younger cast members can't really save the film.