DECEIVER

DECEIVER Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Michael Rooker, Renee Zellweger (1998, MGM, R, $99.99) Writer-directors Jonas and Joshua Pate's flashy, empty mystery proves you can steal two of Quentin Tarantino's most talented alums (Roth and Penn) and still end up with a story that's more shaggy-dog than ''Reservoir Dogs.'' A pair of hard-ass cops (Penn and Rooker) administer lie-detector tests to a slippery, prevaricating suspect (Roth) in the murder of a pouty-lipped prostitute (''Jerry Maguire's'' Zellweger). The cast is game, but the Pates' gimmicky camera angles seem even more mannered on the small screen. And once the too-pat denouement rolls around, you'll feel like you were the one who was deceived. C+