Deja Vu (2006)

After a ferry is bombed in New Orleans, an A.T.F. agent joins a unique investigation using experimental surveillance technology to find the bomber, but soon finds himself becoming obsessed with one of the victims.

Director:

Tony Scott

Writers:

Bill Marsilii, Terry Rossio

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Jim Caviezel

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denzel Washington	...	Doug Carlin
Paula Patton	...	Claire Kuchever
Val Kilmer	...	Agent Pryzwarra
Jim Caviezel	...	Carroll Oerstadt
Adam Goldberg	...	Denny
Elden Henson	...	Gunnars
Erika Alexander	...	Shanti
Bruce Greenwood	...	Jack McCready
Rich Hutchman	...	Agent Stalhuth
Matt Craven	...	Minuti
Donna W. Scott	...	Beth (as Donna Scott)
Elle Fanning	...	Abbey
Brian Howe	...	Medical Examiner
Enrique Castillo	...	Claire's Father
Mark Phinney	...	Agent Donnelly

Storyline

In the wake of a devastating terrorist attack on a slow New Orleans ferry, the A.T.F. special agent, Doug Carlin, joins an experimental top-secret government program to find the bomber. Designed to bend the very fabric of time, this state-of-the-art technology enables the user to observe a detailed representation of what happened four days and six hours in the past, tracking the target's every move prior to the attack. However, the man responsible for the deadly explosion is bound to strike again. Can Carlin figure out who he is, when he is always precisely four days behind?

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Plot Keywords:

alternate timeline | patriotism | woman in jeopardy | opening scene repeated later in film | wormhole | 

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Taglines:

What if you could change the past?

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Déjà Vu

Filming Locations:

Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$75,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,574,802, 26 November 2006

Gross USA:

$64,038,616

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$180,557,550

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Scott Free Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tony Scott, Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, and Jim Caviezel held a news conference upon their arrival to New Orleans to announce their intention to employ the local New Orleans community and incorporate post-Katrina New Orleans into the film.

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Goofs

The ferry incident is Mardi Gras Day (a.k.a. Fat Tuesday). On Mardi Gras Day, the ferry service is pedestrian only for security reasons. And also, there was a school bus full of school children on it. All schools in the New Orleans area are closed for the holiday.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

Tony Scott's opening credit is obscured momentarily by a passing sailor.

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Million Dollar Movie Week 2 (2009)

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Soundtracks

Coming Back To You
Written by Macy Gray, Jared Gosselin, Phillip White (as Phillip "Whitey" White),
Caleb Speir, Freddie Moffett, Harry Gregson-Williams
Produced by Whitey and Jared for Whiteleaf Productions, Harry Gregson-Williams and Macy Gray
Performed by Macy Gray
Courtesy of Will I Am / A&M Records

User Reviews

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.