Based on the 1963 film "Charade," "The Truth About Charlie" follows Regina Lambert (Thandie Newton of "Beloved"), a British sophisticate married to an enigmatic art dealer, Charlie (Stephen Dillane of "Spy Game"). While contemplating divorce in the Carribean, she meets suave American, Joshua Peters (Mark Walberg of "Planet of the Apes"). Upon returning home to Paris, Regina finds her apartment ransacked and her husband murdered. She is subsequently questioned by police commandant, (Christine Boisson of "Manipularea"), who reveals that Charlie surpasses P. Diddy in number of aliases.

Meanwhile, Joshua Peters conveniently shows up in Paris to comfort Regina in her time of need and proceeds to gain her trust and affections. Also, Regina meets Mr. Bartholomew (Tim Robbins of "AntiTrust"), an agent for the Office of Defense of Cooperation. He tells her how Charlie has hidden $6 million worth of diamonds from his former partners, Il-sang Lee, Lola Jansco and Emil Zarapec (played by Joong-Hoon Park, Lisa Gay Hamilton and Ted Levine, respectively). Wanting what is rightfully theirs, they are determined to find Regina. The problem is that she does not know where the diamonds are.

The film is indeed a mishmash of characters, as the shifting identities of the parties involved invite Regina to play a game of musical chairs with her oscillating trust. The ambiguity of bad and good keeps the viewer guessing until the end. While plot twists are normally positive aspects of a movie, the continual unveiling of new developments with little explanation serves more to confuse the viewer than intrigue. By the end of the movie, the full plot remains puzzling to disappointed audiences.

Several surreal aspects of the film also add to its perplexity. The cinematography tries to be clever with the use of digital video clips along with regular film, but the shaky camera shots nauseate rather than appeal. In one scene in which Regina is walking down the back alleys with Joshua, she becomes alarmed as one of Charlie's disgruntled partners passes her in the street. The camera bobs up and down violently following Regina's quickened pace. This technique instills a feeling of sea-sickness more than the desired effect of distress.

The film also adds unbelievable surreal aspects during the romantic scene between Joshua and Regina in the hotel. He attempts to woo her by playing a Charles Aznavour ballad. While they are dancing in ecstasy, Aznavour himself appears in the corner of the room to provide a live rendition of the serenade.

In a second, soap opera-like scene, all of the characters appear at a dance club. In the middle of tangoing, the various partners, Joshua and even the commandant pass around Regina as they woo her to trust them over the others.

Despite the confusion, the movie has many redeeming qualities in its rich cultural aspects. The soundtracks features a refreshing array of international music from Latin pop to French rock. The cast also features a nice mix of ethnically diverse actors. The predominantly white group of actors in most Hollywood films becomes a minority in this movie, set in the fast and fabulous streets of Paris.

Newton is entertaining to watch as she progresses from a bewildered damsel in distress to determined investigator into her late husband's past. Similarly, the supporting cast offers a rich display of personality as they try to walk the thin line between trust, deceit and greed. Walberg is charming as Joshua, however his acting is tainted by his character's muddled identity and the baffling plot.

Overall, the movie employs so many surreal techniques that it becomes ridiculous. The thrill is lost on the plethora of incomprehensible and barely plausible scenarios. While the cultural aspects of the film are refreshing, it is not enough to make up for the bewilderment of the viewer at the conclusion of the movie.