Veteran talent helps make 'Paranoia' riveting


4 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — I'm not sure the title "Paranoia" is quite right for this new movie based on Joseph Finder's novel published in 2004. But, since it is the title of the novel too, well, who am I to argue?

This is the story of a team of young, innovative high-tech employees of the Wyatt Corp. who have been tasked with impressing the company -- especially the company's founder, Nicholas Wyatt -- with an innovative new product idea. Leading the gaggle of techies is Adam Cassidy (Liam Hemsworth). Suffice it to say that the presentation does not go well and the entire team exits the building unemployed.

But Wyatt sees potential in Adam as a spy in a high stakes game of industrial espionage with his former mentor, Jock Goddard (Harrison Ford). Not above using blackmail, involving an indiscretion with a company credit card and threats aimed at Adam's former team members, Wyatt recruits Adam and sets the stage for him to be imbedded in Goddard's company.

Now the plot really thickens.

It seems a beautiful young woman Adam met at a club, Emma (Amber Heard) is in charge of marketing the new innovation that our spy is supposed to "acquire." As this relationship grows, Wyatt and his henchmen, who are monitoring every move, sense that their guy is conflicted and could be compromised so they turn up the heat. They even threaten Adam's invalid dad (Richard Dreyfus). Now things really start to get nasty.

The big question is, who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? And, as the pressure mounts, will Adam ever be able to extract himself from the tightening web of intrigue?


Hemsworth and Heard deliver sympathetic characters laced with real chemistry.

Hemsworth and Heard deliver sympathetic characters laced with real chemistry. It's interesting to see the evolution of an actor like Harrison Ford who, years ago would have starred in the role of Adam, but now, seamlessly and delightfully slips into an older, even deeper character like Goddard. Several months ago he perfectly depicted Branch Rickey in the film "42."

Gary Oldman, as Wyatt, seems to have that same gift. Without these two veteran talents, "Paranoia" would not have been anywhere near as good.

There are some real disconnects in this film including Dreyfus, who literally and figuratively sleeps through much of his time on screen. Plus, Wyatt's lead henchman is so stereotypical it's almost laughable.

Still, the film is entertaining and does keep you riveted. Three stars for "Paranoia" and it's rated PG-13.

Photos

Related links

Most recent Entertainment stories

Related topics

Entertainment
Doug Wright

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast