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Predictable ‘A Dark Truth’ does hurt

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“A Dark Truth” is a would-be eco-thriller as forgettable as its generic title.

Writer-director Damian Lee might have thought he had something to say about Third World water rights but this whole wan enterprise has little to impart except that — wait for it — greed is bad. And so is this unconvincing potboiler.

Andy Garcia stars as Jack Begosian, an ex-CIA agent holed away in Toronto as a half-there family man and platitudinous radio talk show host. But when the co-heir (Deborah Kara Unger) of a corrupt multinational involved in water privatization decides to expose her company’s coverup of — and connection to — a tragedy in Ecuador, she hires Jack to fly down to the South American jungle and do her dirty work.

PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments

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Before you can say “which way’s the private jet?” Jack invades Ecuador (the Dominican Republic stands in) and morphs into a one-man army as he battles a host of local baddies while attempting to rescue an imperiled activist and freedom fighter (Forest Whitaker), his surly wife (Eva Longoria) and their kids.

Meanwhile, back at the water conglomerate, mustaches twirl and revenge is plotted against Jack upon his return to Toronto.

For all the attempted intrigue and mayhem, the film is dullsville, mired by a poky script, unremarkable action and, the hard-working Garcia aside, uninspired performances.

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“A Dark Truth.” MPAA rating: R for violence and disturbing images. In English and Spanish with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes. At Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex, Santa Monica.

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