Déjà Vu (2009)

Déjà Vu (2009)

5/10

Starring

Denzel Washington

Val Kilmer

Paula Patton

Jim Caviezel

Directed by Tony Scott

Déjà Vu is a movie with some unnecessary plot holes, and it feels like it was too focused on the action and the intensity of a man trying to navigate the present and the past in hopes of changing the future. The idea behind the movie is solid, and it’s enjoyable at times, but often you’ll find yourself wishing for more detail and explanation rather than the constant action on screen. Directed by Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, I expected more from this film, as both are known for their expertise. However, in the end, the movie is just average.

The plot should have focused more on the project called Snow White rather than the events surrounding it. In the movie, we follow Special Agent Douglas (Denzel Washington), who demonstrates his detective skills while investigating a bombing, impressing FBI agent Paul (Val Kilmer). Paul invites Douglas to join a special task force investigating the events leading up to the explosion, using a program called Snow White that allows them to see into the past.

Douglas directs the team on who to focus the program on, and they discover that a woman was contacted by the bomber. From there, they begin their investigation to identify and catch the bomber. The movie has a lot going on, and at times, you’ll wish the writers had cut back on some elements and focused on one cohesive storyline. Then there’s the time travel—or the “window to the past” concept. If you watch this movie and can explain it, please feel free to enlighten me.

The program allows them to see precisely 4 days, 6 hours, 3 minutes, 45 seconds, and 14.5 nanoseconds into the past. Not only is that oddly specific, but the past can also be viewed on screen and recorded for analysis. That’s not all—somehow, the writers used this window to the past as a doorway to send messages to a past self to change the present. How this was supposed to help solve crimes is something you’ll have to watch the movie to (maybe) understand.

The action in this movie isn’t enough to save it from its plot holes and weak storytelling. The film lacks the detail needed to make sense of its ambitious ideas. It’s the kind of movie you can only enjoy if you suspend your disbelief and just go along for the ride. Don’t try to reason or think too much about what’s happening on screen—just sit back and enjoy. If suspending your disbelief isn’t your thing, I’d advise skipping this one altogether.