Hartley, a director who first made his mark with a handful of movies (The Unbelievable Truth, Trust), tries to get his mojo back with this sequel, magnifying his signature flavour; quick cuts with sharp angles, off-beat humor and quick bursts of monotone dialogue.

And Posey delivers a charming, tongue-in-cheek performance - fluttering her eyelashes, pouts, flirts and teases. But her eternal charm can't save a darkly surreal espionage movie where even the characters seem completely confused as to what's going on. "Fay Grim" is being released simultaneously in theaters, on HdnetTV, and on DVD.