The Great Julia Roberts, Hollywood’s biggest leading lady has arrived again in theaters on March 20 in the film that will make her an even bigger star. Coupled with previous leading man Clive Owen, whom Roberts starred with in “Closer,” the two are working more closely together this time around. Roberts has albeit given up regular acting roles and has taken up being a wife and mother to three. However, you can always count on Julia to come back with a bang. And in this film, “Duplicity,” she does just that.

This crime/thriller is best described by the studio hacks as, “A pair of corporate spies who share a steamy past hook up to pull off the ultimate con job on their respective bosses.” That’s of course Owen and Roberts. But this film that could have become a silly comedy turned into a heated drama with a comedic twist. Mostly because of the brilliant acting talents of Julia Roberts, who is not playing an innocent girl like she did in “Pretty Woman” decades ago. No, Roberts is a seasoned pro, so is her character Claire Stenwick. An almost soap opera-ish name, but she’s not playing high drama here. The sultry stunner is still packing dramatic twists and turns in this film, which she’s become world famous for.

Clive Owen has become a very serious actor and a bankable one as well. Hollywood loves the guy, but so do his costars. Setsiders state that he and Roberts got along famously and that they had great chemistry not just on screen but off as well.

Universal Studios smartly put two strong leading actors together, but with a dizzying twist. It’s hard to see where director/writer Tony Gilroy leaves off and where Julia Roberts takes over. Gilroy, a seasoned professional, has an ability to let his actors play things out. Yet he knows when to rein them in so not to make things look too over the top. He has done so aptly in this film and returns to his writing aplomb in “Michael Clayton” and “The Bourne Identity.” Gone is his sophomoric style which he showcased in “Proof of Life,” the flop that starred Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan in 2000. Not only was that film derailed by the plot, but also by the real life romance between the couple who played the leading roles.

Roberts however steals this film from everyone. She proves that when she’s on screen, that she’s Hollywood’s leading lady and current reigning queen of cinema. Owen however has turned into a superb actor, who is not only nice to look at on the screen, but a solid performer as well. Roberts proves that one can make a film each year and still be supreme when it comes to the Box Office. Surely her film will derail the excellent “Witch Mountain” remake which was last weekend’s top box office maker.

“Duplicity” gets four and a half stars for bringing Miss Roberts back on screen in her best role in five years. Clive Owen, keep up the great work.

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