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No one ever pays much attention to geeky, oblivious accountant Jonathan (Ewan McGregor), yet he doesn't think twice when slick attorney Wyatt (Hugh Jackman) befriends him, gives him an expensive suit and lets him take his place in an exclusive, no-strings-attached sex club for the wealthy, overworked and highly attractive. After Jonathan falls for S (Michelle Williams) on one of his trysts and she disappears, he begins to suspect that this, uh, situation may be more complicated than he realizes.

Big question: Is this psychological thriller sexy enough to pull a fast one on us at the office while our attention's in the bedroom?

Skip it: The ulterior motives in "Deception" are so obvious that you'll only miss them if you leave your eyes and ears at home. Onscreen mind games are only fun if you get to play them yourself, and the freaking title already spoils your chance to enjoy thinking anyone's legit.

Catch it: For Jonathan's not-at-all corny response to S when she tells him she doesn't want to complicate his life: "I want all the complications you've got." Smooth, man.

Bottom line: The only elements that ring true are the quick-moving, nameless corporate culture and the hint of mystery that Williams contributes to a conventional role. Otherwise, McGregor's performance turns a goody-goody into a gullible buffoon, and the plot has enough holes to keep Tiger Woods busy for a week.

Bonus: When Jonathan and Wyatt share a joint in a conference room after office hours, Jonathan says that he hasn't felt this good since seeing Van Halen in '87. You decide if that's a commentary on a life lived without fun or a backhanded way of saying VH's current reunion tour is too little, too late!

Video: Watch the review of 'Deception'

What do you think of 'Deception'? Email me: mpais@tribune.com

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