The success of thrillers like this one depends heavily on skillfully handled smoke and mirrors, but Deception's predictable plot turns won't really deceive anyone.

As the double-crosses come thick and fast, it's hard to retain much curiosity about or sympathy for any of the film's duplicitous protagonists.

When sex (and mystery) gives way to a multimillion-dollar heist (and explanations), the whole thing just gets silly. Sexy fun for a while, though.

It all culminates in one of the most audaciously terrible endings ever captured on celluloid.