Paranoia

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UK Release Date: March 10th 2014

An entry-level employee in a powerful corporation finds himself occupying a corner office, but at a dangerous price: he must spy on his boss's old mentor to secure for him a multi-billion dollar advantage.

Director: Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde, 21, The Ugly Truth)

Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, Harrison Ford

Paranoia is a pointless existence in the world of cinema. If it weren't for the big names (Gary Oldman, Harrison Ford) then this would have gone straight to DVD. According to sources through IMDB, Kevin Spacey turned down the role that Ford eventually played. You can see why.

For starters there's no logical notion to calling this Paranoia. It's a psychological disorder with delusions and a disruption of emotion, neither which are displayed in this film. Paranoia is similar to many other films. The one that sticks out the most is Lucky Number Slevin because of it's two gang leaders and their hate for each other. Ford and Oldman are not at their best because a flat-noted script has them looking like two grumpy, old men, trying to outgun the other. It's a cat and mouse chase that's a poor reunion from their Air Force One days.

The young, bold lead known as Adam Cassidy is hired by global media owner Nicolas Wyatt (Oldman) to steal an idea from his boss's mentor. Adam receives all the riches (cars and gadgets) and struts around with an overly self-confident and assertive demeanour that shatters the moment a bit of trouble lands his way. A cowardly figure is harder to relate to than someone who gains the courage. To make matters worse Cassidy is very cold to his ill father, a part of the narrative that's never explained and goes no further than spitefulness. 

The story is consistently under-tone. No character is a likeable character. There are no backgrounds and the only romance on show has zero spark. Amber Heard's Emma is merely used and abused by Cassidy.

Paranoia plods along and by the end you'll feel like nothing actually happened. You're better off not wasting your time.