Double Take (2001)

 
DOUBLE TAKE, one of the first unmemorable films of the year, is a 
dull "buddy thriller" that thinks it's a swapped-identity side-
splitter.  Orlando Jones (BEDAZZLED, THE REPLACEMENTS) stars as a 
upright-but-hardly-uptight Wall Street banker who trades places 
with a wisecracking street con (Eddie Griffin) after being framed 
for murder after learning a little too much about a particular 
client.  And off to Mexico they go, per the direction of a federal 
law-enforcement agent or someone pretending to be one.  Hilarity 
infrequently ensues, in-between gun fights, car chases, and, in a 
far greater proportion, various clandestine comings and goings.  
(Practically every character is really someone else.)  Jones and 
Griffin are agreeable leads, even if they're chemistry is hardly 
electric.  ('Cept for those times that they look like they're 
cracking up.)  Jones dutiful performs the requisite head shakes 
and double takes, while Griffin appears to be channeling Chris 
Tucker's squeal-y shtick from RUSH HOUR.  But with better enuncia-
tion.  The material isn't terribly funny, either, save for the oc-
cassionally priceless put-down ("Keep campaigning for that ass-
whupping and you're gonna get elected!") and those four or five 
scenes (total) where each gets to impersonate the other.  (Jones' 
"malt liquor" rant-- as partially shown in the trailer-- is the 
hands-down high-point.  If only the *rest*, or even the *bulk* of 
the film were as inspired...)  Alas, Monday night's packed, sneak-
preview audience seemed to like it.  They laughed, tensed, and e-
ven clapped as instructed.  This critic's eyes, however, had glaz-
ed-over *long* before the asinine, all-together-now-let's-start-
shooting finale.  Thank God there's enough light at the Raleigh 
Grande to both take *and* revise notes.  With Gary Grubbs, Daniel 
Roebuck, Vivica A. Fox, and perennial pitchman Edward Herrmann,  
looking heavier than ever and bearing a really, really, *really* 
eerie resemblance to perennial Presidential candidate Steve "Flat 
Tax" Forbes.  Except Mr. Ed *blinks*.  George Gallo directs and is 
credited with the screenplay.  (Rated "PG-13"/~100 min.)

Grade: D 

Copyright 2000 by Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: Turn Away