Multiplicity

Most of us could benefit from watching a really funny movie once in a while to lighten our spirits. But, if you are searching for a truly hilarious film, I suggest you look elsewhere. Although “Multiplicity” has its funny moments, overall, the comedy falls flat—weighed down with too much crude sexual humor, and a weak script.

This is a rather predictable “be careful what you wish for, you might get it” story. Doug (Michael Keaton, who years earlier starred as a similar personality in “Mr. Mom”) is an everyday guy living a typical high pressure life, trying to balance his obligations at work with those at home. Doug’s life is increasingly frantic, and he is ready to snap. He wishes he could be in more than one place at a time. A medical researcher provides the “miracle” this husband and father needs by providing Doug with an exact duplicate of himself. Being careful to hide the clone from his family, Doug is soon apparently getting twice as much work done and has more free time for himself and his family. But things begin to go very wrong after “Doug #3” and “4” are produced. In the end, the clones drive away after Doug has learned to reorganize his life and shows more love for his wife. As Christians know, God wants us to lead a balanced life—not too much work, not too much play. A badly out-of-balance life leads to frustration, depression and often sin.

Parents should be very cautious about allowing their youngsters or teens to view “Multiplicity”. The humor is mostly adult. There is some foul language, taking of God’s name in vain, and some crude sexual remarks. A urination scene is rather thoroughly acted out. Doug’s two children repeatedly call each other “duty-head.” The wife (Andie MacDowell) gives Doug the finger, in anger, when he asks her to be a stay-at-home mom. Two Dougs are shown dirty-dancing with two party girls alone in their apartment. A sex scene between the wife and Doug #3 strongly suggests that she is touching (and looking at) his genitals under the covers. By the end of the film, the wife has had sex with all three Doug-clones.

Of course, only God has created human beings. The premise of “Multiplicity”—that a full-grown human can be cloned, complete with all memories, in a matter of hours—is quite ridiculous scientifically. Although the producers clearly treat the subject with tongue-in-cheek, it is a bit sad to note the casual flippancy with which the creation of life is treated.

You won’t miss much if you skip “Multiplicity”. Bigger laughs can be found elsewhere. The relatively uninteresting and predictable plot had me glancing at my watch too many times.