Multiplicity

Starring: Michael Keaton, Andie MacDowell, Zack Duhame, Harris Yulin, Eugene Levy, Ann Cusack
Directed by: Harold Ramis
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
1996

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A busy contractor (Michael Keaton) is overwhelmed with responsibilities at work and at home. He turns to a geneticist (Harris Yulin) who is willing to clone him. He and his clone work well, but he soon decides he needs another clone to help on the home front. This starts to complicate matters as he tries to keep his clones secret from his wife (Andie MacDowell) as his simplified life soon becomes increasingly complex.

Review:

Tim: Multiplicity is one of those movies that is built around a single idea that isn't necessarily shocking that someone came up with it. The idea of man cloning himself to take care of all his responsibilities is a pretty perfect set up for a comedy. Still, this is an original idea, and I appreciate that about this film. I do wish this movie was a bit better. It could have been much funnier, and there were a number of really weak areas. In the end, I can't say that this is a good movie, but it wasn't quite terrible, either.

This movie really hinges on the shoulders of Michael Keaton. Keaton plays a normal guy, a hard-working man's man clone, a very feminine clone, and what can only be described as a mentally challenged clone. Keaton is impressive here. It is really funny to see him talking and physically interacting with himself. I was impressed how Keaton could change up his performance so much for each clone-they actually felt like different people, and occasionally, I had to remind myself that I was watching no one but Keaton. His performance is great.

What I didn't like about this aspect of the film is that it was never really explained why clones of a person would take on such wildly different personalities. I can suspend disbelief that a man could clone himself, but why wouldn't the clones just be a reflection of himself? Sure, this makes a comedy much harder to do, but it would have been more realistic. I especially wonder why the feminine, domestic clone would have no knowledge of construction, when he was created as the clone of a lifelong construction worker? These plot holes (and trust me, there are dozens of them) really bothered me in this film. I have the ability to overlook some flaws and plot holes, but these were more like plot canyons, and I just couldn't ignore them.

This movie is decent, but it's not especially funny. Yes, it is entertaining to see four Keatons in the same room, but this isn't enough to build a good movie around. I didn't laugh nearly enough, and I cringed at the awkward situations more than anything else. That doesn't make for a very enjoyable experience. This movie just needed to be funnier. Harold Ramis is a good director, but this is not a very good movie.

I appreciate Multiplicity for having a unique idea for a comedy. I love the casting of the always impressive Michael Keaton, and the always-enjoyable Andie MacDowell. I desperately wish this was a more effective movie and a funnier comedy. I didn't hate this film- it certainly has some good moments. However, I couldn't get past the movie's many flaws, which sank this comedy. I could insert some clone or multiplicity joke here, but I'll just say I expected more.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6



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