'Deva Vu' is clever — but convoluted

DEJA VU — ** 1/2 — Denzel Washington, Paula Patton; rated PG-13 (violence, gore, profanity, brief partial nudity, brief drugs, vulgarity); Carmike 12 and Ritz 15 Theaters; Century Theatres 16 (Sandy); Century Theatres 16 (South Salt Lake); Cinemark 24 at Jordan Landing; Megaplex 12 at the Gateway; Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons; Megaplex 20 at the District.

Apparently someone finally gave attention-deficit director Tony Scott some Ritalin, because "Deja Vu" is the most straight-forward and effective piece of filmmaking he's delivered in quite a few years.

That means the film isn't as full of the "shaky-cam" and blink-quick edits that have ruined nearly all of the films Scott has made post-1995's "Crimson Tide."

Although it should be noted that "straight-forward" by Scott's standards is still peculiar.

A few audience members may be a bit confused by this contrived but clever and tense thriller, which features a few science-fiction elements.

But it does boast strong performances, led by Denzel Washington as Doug Carlin, an ATF agent who's been called in to investigate the bombing of a ferry in New Orleans — an act of domestic terrorism that has taken more than 500 lives.

The culprit has left few clues at the scene, but, as Doug has learned, the FBI is using top-secret technology that can open a hole four days into the past. With information gleaned from that, they're hoping to catch the bomber.

Doug, though, has loftier goals. He'd like to use the technology to stop the bombing from happening at all, and if possible, prevent the killing of Claire Kuchever (Paula Patton), a young woman who's tied to the case in some way.

It's probably best not to think about the premise too much. Despite the best efforts of screenwriters Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio's there are some pretty big plot holes.

Of course, Washington does everything in his power to convince you of its plausibility.

Patton ("Idlewild") is appealing, and the good supporting cast includes Val Kilmer, Adam Goldberg and Jim Caviezel.

"Deja Vu" is rated PG-13 for strong scenes of violence (shootings, vehicular violence, explosive mayhem, and violence against women), glimpses of gore, scattered profanity and crudities, brief, partial female nudity, and brief drug references. Running time: 128 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com