In what has been elegantly labeled an “erotic thriller” Amanda Seyfried leaps out of her typecast roles to star as Chloe, a sexy escort hired by Catherine (Julianne Moore) to tempt her supposedly cheating husband David (Liam Neeson), hoping to catch him in the act. Catherine soon learns that Chloe forced herself upon her husband at their first meeting and becomes angry with the escort’s actions, claiming that this behavior was not part of the plan.  However, she pushes Chloe to meet with her husband again, and each time Catherine speaks with Chloe, the seductress tells of her progressively racier afternoons with David.

A unique attraction forms between the two women and the film shifts gears, focusing more on Chloe and Catherine’s relationship than David’s seemingly obvious adultery.

At this point, I basically had the film figured out and I certainly was not shocked by the “thriller” aspect of the plot.  While everything was fairly predictable, I will give credit to the actors.  Julianne Moore is always excellent, and Amanda Seyfried secured her place in the acting world as more than a throw-away teen romance star.

Upon further research, though, I found that Chloe is actually a remake of the French film, Nathalie, released only seven years ago in 2003.  The plot is identical and the trailers are almost scene-for-scene.  While it comes as no surprise that America could not come up with an original screenplay of this sort, I am increasingly angry with this growing trend to “Americanize” films that are not yet decade old – especially when the original foreign film is often far better.

Chloe gets zero stars for originality, but just over two stars for good acting and a mildly entertaining (but recycled) plot.  If you are in the mood for some psycho-drama and a couple of steamy (pretty much pornographic) bedroom scenes, check out Chloe (on DVD now).