Deja Vu (2006)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Tony Scott

Writers (WGA):

Bill Marsilii (written by) &
Terry Rossio (written by)

Release Date:

22 November 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

If you thought it was just a trick of the mind, prepare yourself for the truth.

Plot:

An ATF agent travels back in time to save a woman from being murdered, falling in love with her during the process.

Plot Keywords:

Child Murder | Loss Of Daughter | Held At Gunpoint | Death | Finger Cut Off

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Denzel Washington	...	Agent Doug Carlin - ATF
Paula Patton	...	Claire Kuchever
Val Kilmer	...	Agent Paul Pryzwarra - FBI
James Caviezel	...	Carroll Oerstadt (as Jim Caviezel)
Adam Goldberg	...	Dr. Alexander Denny
Elden Henson	...	Gunnars
Erika Alexander	...	Shanti
Bruce Greenwood	...	Agent Jack McCready - FBI
Rich Hutchman	...	Agent Stalhuth
Matt Craven	...	Agent Larry Minuti - ATF
Donna W. Scott	...	Beth (as Donna Scott)
Elle Fanning	...	Abbey
Brian Howe	...	Medical Examiner
Enrique Castillo	...	Claire's Father
Mark Phinney	...	Agent Kevin Donnelly - ATF

Also Known As:

Déjà Vu (USA) (alternative spelling)
Deja Vu (Philippines: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and terror, disturbing images and some sensuality.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | UK:12A | Netherlands:12 | Ireland:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43112) | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Singapore:PG (edited version) | Germany:12 | South Korea:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | South Africa:13V | Denmark:15 | Norway:15 | Malaysia:U | Philippines:PG-13 (MTRCB) | Portugal:M/12 | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | France:U | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Castle Green Apartments - 99 S. Raymond, Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

James Caviezel decided at the last minute to do the stunt where he is hit by a car himself. If injured he could have been paralyzed.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: During Claire Kuchever's autopsy, when her head is turned toward the camera, her eyes follow a distant fixed point, and not the rotation of her head. This causes her irises to become centered in her eyes by the end of the head turn. In other shots, her eyes are fixed looking slightly to her left.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Ferry Captain: Can't believe it. They're right on time. Let's get these boys to their party.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2006-11-25)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

When The Saints Go Marching In

Deja Vu is a great ride!

I was also at that Century City screening last night, and I was probably one of the people who were saying they thought this movie was awesome. I enjoyed it immensely. It has been described as an action-adventure-romance-sci-fi pic and it truly is all of that.

First of all, the cinematography was stunning. Tony Scott and his DOP, Paul Cameron, do fantastic work -- every shot is beautifully composed. And all the footage that involves a cast of thousands (meaning the crowd scenes) is masterful work.

I don't know why I started with commenting on the photography (also the editing) of this movie. It's probably because that is what struck me from the very beginning, particularly when there is so much going on in the opening sequence. Yet you never get lost. Above all, the performances and story are great and really suck you in. Yes, this movie requires a fair bit of suspension of disbelief. I would go so far as to say the plot was far-fetched, but the heart of the story just takes you along for the ride.

For the record, I felt Scott's most recent teaming with Denzel, Man on Fire, was one of the best movies of 2004. I don't think Deja Vu is as good as Man on Fire, but it's right up there as one of the most entertaining and thrilling movies I've seen this year.

For sheer entertainment and an intriguing (though not flawless) plot, Bruckheimer, Scott and Co. sure have DELIVERED the goods.

I recommend you see Deja Vu on the big screen with a big, loud audience for maximum enjoyment. Part of the appeal last night was exactly that; hearing the audience -- as one -- laugh, applaud and sigh along with this movie and getting swept up in that communal experience.

post scriptum -- Any fans of Otto Preminger's wonderful 1994 classic Laura may be delighted by the echoes of that storyline in Deja Vu.