The Cold War is over – or is it? The Double is an edgy spy thriller starring Richard Gere as Paul Sheperdson, a retired CIA agent who is living a quiet life after years of hunting down Soviet spies, most notably a ruthless killer code-named Cassius. When Sheperdson left the agency many years ago, he claimed that Cassius was dead. After all, the trademark murders stopped and there have not been any more sightings of his Russian crew, whom Sheperdson had hunted down one by one.
Martin Sheen plays Tom Highland, a superior in the CIA who brings his old pal back into the game when a United States Senator is murdered, with the MO of Cassius. Paul claims it must be a copycat, but nevertheless, he is teamed up with a young FBI agent, Ben Geary (Topher Grace), who has made it his life’s work to research and track down Cassius.
Richard Gere and Topher Grace
The pairing of these two characters is what makes this story as engrossing as it is. First, there is the veteran with a cool head, calm demeanor, and the desire to return to his quiet life in retirement. When he is thrust back into the world of spies, intrigue, and murder, he easily returns to his old ways as if he has not lost a beat. This Cold War era spy still knows how to get the job done.
Ben Geary is eager and willing to work with his hero, the man who had followed Cassius and his gang all those years before. Ben is idealistic and anxious to get on this case. With a wife and two young children at home, he faces the harsh realities of espionage with excitement.
Through their search for the Soviet spies, yes, now they are on the hunt for more than one Russian, Paul warns Ben’s wife to get her husband to opt out of the assignment. He knows what can happen to someone in his position. Someone is going to end up dead.
Paul and Ben make an interesting team, but their individual histories unfold during this game of cat and mouse. Viewers might be surprised to learn about these characters and not until the end of the film do they really get the full story.
The Double – Review
The movie was written by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas who worked on Wanted and 3:10 to Yuma. The story leaves viewers wondering throughout the film what exactly the back stories are with these two characters. While it is a story of espionage, the title reflects something more than a simple spy story.
Richard Gere never disappoints his fans and he does not in this film either. He portrays his cunning character with charm, if you can call someone who is brutal at times charming. But Gere is just that.
And Topher Grace is interesting to watch as the young agent who is obsessed with this case.
Bonus features include commentaries and interviews with the producers.
- The Double on Blu-ray and DVD
- Studio: Image Entertainment
- Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images and violence
- Running time: 98 minutes
- Release date: January 31, 2012
