The Double (2013)

A clerk in a government agency finds his unenviable life takes a turn for the horrific with the arrival of a new co-worker who is both his exact physical double and his opposite - confident, charismatic and seductive with women.

Director:

Richard Ayoade

Writers:

Fyodor Dostoevsky (novel), Richard Ayoade

Stars:

Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska, Wallace Shawn

1 win & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jesse Eisenberg	...	Simon / James
Mia Wasikowska	...	Hannah
Wallace Shawn	...	Mr Papadopoulos
Yasmin Paige	...	Melanie
Noah Taylor	...	Harris
James Fox	...	The Colonel
Cathy Moriarty	...	Kiki
Phyllis Somerville	...	Simon's Mother
Gabrielle Downey	...	Strange Woman
Jon Korkes	...	Detective
Craig Roberts	...	Young Detective
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith	...	Guard / Doctor
Susan Blommaert	...	Liz
Bruce Byron	...	Skinhead
J. Mascis	...	Janitor (as J Mascis)

Storyline

Simon is a timid man, scratching out an isolated existence in an indifferent world. He is overlooked at work, scorned by his mother, and ignored by the woman of his dreams. He feels powerless to change any of these things. The arrival of a new co-worker, James, serves to upset the balance. James is both Simons exact physical double and his opposite - confident, charismatic and good with women. To Simons horror, James slowly starts taking over his life.

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Plot Keywords:

double | office cubicle | employer employee relationship | lookalike | suicide | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

In ballroom scene a singer performs "East Virginia" with a band. The singer is Finnish semi-retired pop-star "Danny". The director spotted him in Youtube.

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Quotes

Simon: I don't want to be a boy held up by string.

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Connections

Referenced in Artsnight: Episode dated 30 March 2014 (2014)

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Soundtracks

After the Sayonara (aka Sayonarano Atode)
(uncredited)
Performed by The Blue Comets

User Reviews

Ayoade channels Gilliam for his second feature

This is the second feature film from Richard Ayoade after his quirky debut Submarine. Loosely based on the Dostoevsky novel the story follows Simon James - a quiet, timid character living in a bleak, soulless world where he goes unnoticed by his boss, the cute photocopier girl and even his own mother. Then one day James Simon appears, an exact double of Simon except he's better at everything in life - he has the cocky charm, he worms his way to the top in work and even gets the girls.

This is a dark, moody comedy peppered with some hilarious dialogue and genuine pathos although it doesn't quite fulfil its early expectations. The real highlight here is Ayoade's directorial style with real shades of Terry Gilliam in its surrealist approach to the world he has created. He cranks up the volume of everyday things like taps running or footsteps to build tension up in scenes and Jesse Einsberg is perfect casting for playing both roles.

A real curious piece but one which deserves an audience and suggests Ayoade is on track to become a real tour de force.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 April 2014 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Double

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,646, 11 May 2014

Gross USA:

$200,406

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,662,515

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcove Entertainment, Attercop Productions, British Film Institute (BFI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1