Rather than try and follow the plot in “The Truth About Charlie,” the best advice is to sit back and watch. Like “The Usual Suspects,” there is no point in trying to figure it out the first time.

“Charlie” wisps you away into the world of international crime, fake identities and a lot of money at stake, only to make the audience believe elements of the story that are not real.

What remains true throughout the film is Regina Lambert (Thandie Newton) and her intention to divorce her husband Charlie (Stephen Dillane). Joshua Peters (Mark Wahlberg) enters Regina’s life just before she discovers her husband is missing. He later turns up dead.

But Joshua is just one of a consortium of misfits trying to take back the money Charlie took from them. But the money is hidden in liquid assets, while everyone has their eyes on Regina.

Joshua is no exception. A budding romance erupts between him and Regina, complicating her life and the plot, especially when his identity is finally revealed.

“Charlie” is three separate investigations that conclude at the end. The police officers focus their investigation on who killed Charlie. Charlie’s former partners focus on where the money is, while Regina and Mr. Bartholomew (Tim Robbins) try to keep tabs on everyone who has an interest in this mystery.

But it doesn’t really matter. Unless you watch the story backwards, you will be left in the dark. The answers to everybody’s questions require an elaborate explanation provided in a suspenseful climax.

Saying that the plot of “Charlie” is thick doesn’t do the film justice. The connection between its characters only adds to the plot’s density and the withholding of its information creates a need to buy into what’s going on.

While trying to keep up with the plot as an observer is difficult, it takes a back seat to following it as a director. There is an enormous amount of continuity to take into account and that is where Jonathan Demme shines.

There is a genuine sense of reality in his shots. His camera catches honest characters, adding a provocative look into each of his or her life. Demme exploits the city of Paris to capture the feel of mystery about “Charlie” and develop each character thoroughly.

Wahlberg’s role is rather undefined. On one hand, he is chasing the money and a killer, and on the other he is chasing the girl. The ambiguity of Joshua’s goal, whether to get one, the other or both, leaves the audience teetering. It almost reflects his career. Is he a no-talent hip-hop icon or a legitimate actor?

To make this romantic mystery fly, the hot, young vixen Newton was cast to be the perfect damsel in distress. Her character is smart, but doesn’t know too much. Her confusion is easily passed on to the audience. A pending romance with Joshua adds to the suspense and the complexity of the plot.

Don’t, I repeat, don’t bother with names, because not everyone is who they say they are. If the plot gets too convoluted, just remember everyone is connected to the murder of Charlie and the money he has hidden. And every character has an intriguing relationship with another.