PAYCHECK (2003) Starring: Ben Affleck (Michael Jennings), Uma Thurman (Rachel Porter), Aaron Eckhart (James Rethrick)
Directed by: John Woo Written by: Dean Georgaris, from the short story by Phillip K. Dick
Reviewed by: Doug Skiles
Phillip K. Dick's science fiction stories have proven to be great material for film, as proven by TOTAL RECALL, MINORITY REPORT and BLADE RUNNER. PAYCHECK is not often mentioned in the same breath with those films, which is a shame -- it should be. In fact, it should be mentioned as being the greatest Phillip K. Dick adaption to date. Where TOTAL RECALL had pointless gore and gross-out scenes, PAYCHECK offers only cerebral twists and turns. Where BLADE RUNNER had a straightforward narrative with a compellingly complex ending (in the director's cut), PAYCHECK is complex and intelligent from beginning nearly up until the end. And thought MINORITY REPORT dragged on a little too long and had a few too many endings, PAYCHECK never overstays its welcome. It's one of the smartest science fiction stories of the last few years, and more people should really give it the respect it deserves.
In the not-too-distant future, Michael Jennings (Affleck) is a reverse engineer who helps technology companies discover the secrets behind their competitors' latest innovations. Each contract requires his memory to be expunged of the work after it is completed, a dangerous process and a big sacrifice to anyone who values the knowledge of their experience. But since the pay is so high, it allows for a lot more free time between jobs and the potential of very early retirement.
Jennings' latest contract is a big one -- it will take a few years, but James Rethrick offers him enough money to set him up for life. He takes the deal, but when he wakes up from having his memory erased, he finds he's already forfeited his paycheck. Why would he do that? And why has he mailed his bank an envelope full of useless trinkets?
Each item in the envelope is a clue to the missing years of his life and another step to discovering why he gave up his chance to retire. It goes without saying that the truth is darker than he could ever suspect.
John Woo's American films have been extremely hit-and-miss, but PAYCHECK succeeds largely because it avoids his usual clichés. There are no slow-motion shots of someone wielding two guns at once here -- and although indulge in two action sequences, they are suspenseful not because of the action itself but because of the circumstances surrounding them.
All of the actors do an excellent job with their roles, with the sinister Eckhart and his right-hand man Colm Feore being particular standouts. Affleck is extremely likable as always, although Paul Giamatti is somewhat wasted as his best friend. Uma Thurman looks like five miles of bad road after having partied too hard in recent years, but that doesn't affect her performance.
Only the film's final scene mars an otherwise excellent sci-fi narrative. It's too happy, too goofy and too pat a resolution for such a complex story -- and unlike the clues that have led us along each plot twist up to that point, the clues that lead to that final moment are far-fetched and quite implausible. The "alternate ending" found on the DVD, on the other hand, is a fair bit more satisfying.
PAYCHECK is a rare treat; a cerebral science fiction film that completely succeeds in its promise to keep the audience both excited and intrigued. In 2003, audiences were tired of Ben Affleck's face covered the tabloids, and the film failed at the box office. Hopefully more and more people can discover this gem now that Affleck has fallen out of public scrutiny. It's John Woo's best film since HARD-BOILED and one of Ben's finest hours.
Rating: A
"I was eating pie."
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