At first blush, the idea of a story where the CIA is plotting to take over the world via viral mind control sounds great; the mind reels with the potential and possibilities for an engaging and successful film. Unfortunately, on viewing ART OF DECEPTION it is anything but engaging or successful and comes across more as a vanity project for writer (and co-written by Michael Marcelin), director, editor, and lead actor Richard Ryan who seems to have been wearing too many hats and shortchanging the film as a result. But that’s not to say the film is all disappointment. There are some moments of promise and light.
Ryan stars as “allegedly” brilliant scientist Joseph Markham who has been assigned to a top-secret project in the Science and Technology Division of the CIA that involves an engineered virus and its cure, complete with the implantation of a mind-controlling microchip in the process with the goal being world domination. But for the microchip, sounds like the military viral experiment in Wolfgang Petersen’s “Outbreak” (which is superb) but without the solid production values and terrific performances. For a brilliant scientist, Markham leaves much to be desired given that working on this project for a lengthy amount of time he never realized or noticed the virus was deadly nor did he pay attention enough to understand what the end game of the CIA is.
When he does finally learn what’s happening, it’s a case of maybe too little too late as Roland Smith, Director of the Science and Technology Division of the CIA, wants Markham and his wife Valentina dead and dispatches his squad of goons to take care of the problem.
With the idea of pulling a duffel back full of his money out of the bank and making a run for it, Markham does escape the clutches of Smith’s henchmen but not before they have grabbed Valentina. And thus begins a nonsensical chase intertwining evasion and escape with rescuing Valentina from the CIA headquarters, getting Smith, and hopefully stopping the release of the deadly virus.
Throughout this game of chase, we glean more information as to the backstories of the Markhams, the depth of the political involvement behind the virus which has shades of “Murder at 1600″, and more, some of which takes a bit long to reveal or even lay breadcrumbs. The third act elevates the intrigue once Markham goes to a person from his past seeking help in his mission. Primarily done by way of a nicely done montage, you finally want to see how this whole thing plays out.
Joining Ryan is Jackie Nova as Markham’s wife Valentina, a seemingly fitness-obsessed, live the high life woman. Thankfully, as the film progresses we find out there is more to Valentina than what meets the eye because our first meeting of her leaves much to be desired with both the character and performance. And this is where we get one of our pleasant surprises. As Valentina (and getting past the opening scenes), Jackie Nova manages to deliver an emotional and engaging arc that surpasses the dialogue and some of the captive torture scenes that really fall flat in concept and overall execution. Nova is emotionally believable and her physical strength and abilities draw you into the character and the story.
On the other hand, Richard Ryan is one note and brings no depth or focus to the character of Markham, although it is obvious he is an excellent runner from all the running sequences he has.
The one performance that makes you want to stop watching the film every time he is on screen is that of Leon van Waas as Director Roland Smith. His Dutch accent throws you completely off and his look is beyond menacing so between the two you get more of a Cold War Russian spy for a CIA director. Van Waas also has a problem with gestures and physical performance that is more suited for the theater than a film. Joining van Waas as part of the CIA contingent are various and sundry forgettable performances but for two – Jesse Janzen and Zac Titus who both exude evil and were this set during WWII and not present day, they would be perfectly cast for torturing prisoners. However, both are quite effective in ART OF DECEPTION. The overall problem though is with the casting as a whole and delivering menacing and evil for CIA agents. Loses any believability.
Being a lo budget/no budget/micro-budget film, as a filmmaker it’s difficult to know where to put your money and get the best bang for your buck. With ART OF DECEPTION, it looks and feels like editing was a big focus. Production design is extremely weak and as a result not believable or effective, but for the “torture room” where Valentina is chained up. But as editor in addition to his other hats, Richard Ryan does a fine job cutting and developing a clean even pacing, although the “thriller” aspect of the story ebbs due to other production elements. As mentioned above, a third act montage of Markham and his team developing a plan of action, is well done and engaging.
The showpiece of the entire film though is another third act montage cut by Ryan which is a dream/hallucinogenic sequence of Joseph Markham. Beautifully lensed by cinematographer Vishal Solanki, the sequence is shot in snow country. Pristine, white, glistening (a DP’s nightmare), mountains, blue sky and Ryan and Nova trudging through the snow, as well as poignant, haunting images of Markham wandering into an endless ocean. Gorgeous and metaphoric. Wide angle with some poignant delicate zooms. That one sequence could be lifted out of the film and serve as a stand-alone short or music video.
The premise of the film is a good one, however, I think Richard Ryan just wore too many hats for this one and the screenplay and dialogue itself suffered, as did the casting and performances. Perhaps if he had cast someone else as Markham and focused on the script and actors, the end result would have been better. As it is, though, it may be a bumpy ride from start to finish but it’s worth a watch just for the third act and Jackie Nova’s performance.
Directed by Richard Ryan
Written by Richard Ryan and Michael Marcelin
Cast: Richard Ryan, Jackie Nova, Leon van Waas, Jesse Janzen and Zac Titus
by debbie elias, 02/16/2024
ART OF DECEPTION is streaming on Tubi.
