Director: Susanna White.
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris.
I have never read any of John le Carré's novels but have enjoyed the film adaptions, especially Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (2011) and A Most Wanted Man (2014) and TV director Susanna White takes the helm.
This year's busy Ewan McGregor leads as prof. Perry Makepeace (surname is somewhat ironic, is it on purpose?) who bumps into Stellan Skarsgård's Russian Mafioso number cruncher Dima, who is a party animal, family man and occasional killer. Just like the plot, Dima calculates what's in store for him and his family and entrusts some sensitive information to the Prof so that he and his family can be saved.
Homeland's Damian Lewis is the well spoken MI6 operative that picks up the info and begins to start negotiations however, what complicates matters is the prof. good conscience and agrees to 'help' who actually does more than just help. Also dragging along his wife Naomie Harris (she obviously loves espionage)
Things get a little suspenseful but also unbelievable like Skarsgård's Russian accent. MI6 allowing a married couple to assist off the register, but, it's not rare for intelligence agencies to use assets to get what they need. I just can't imagine it being that simple for such a convoluted engagement.
Susanna White does a grand job, especially with different filter effects throughout which when combined with Marcelo Zarvos' beautiful score creates a tense atmosphere suiting the film.
It starts slow and builds up, being unpredictable but then quickly falls into being predictable. It's interesting watching the relationship between Dima and the Prof blossom and is above average, but it lacks impact. It's Damian Lewis that saves the film but it won't be on my blu-ray wishlist.
Running Time: 6
The Cast: 6
Performance: 6
Direction: 7
Story: 6
Script: 6
Creativity: 7
Soundtrack: 6
Job Description: 6
The Extra Bonus Point: 5 for Damian Lewis' powerful and blunt 'Blood Money' speech.
61% 6/10
