Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris, Lizzy Caplan, Simon McBurney.
Score: Alan Silvestri
Robert Zemeckis directs a World War II espionage drama written by the same person behind Locke and Eastern Promises, Steven Knight. It's a good story, intriguing with that constant suspicion of "is she?"
1942, Canadian Intelligence officer, Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) collaborates with alluring French resistance spy, Marianne Beauséjour (Marion Cotillard) on an assassination mission in Casablanca. Undercover marriage soon becomes real husband and wife, or does it? Now parents and living in bombarded London, the British Intelligence suspect a leak among them and accuse Vatan's wife of being a double agent.
Interestingly, it's more than just an "is she or isn't she?" dilemma, questioning Love itself, "what if she is, what do I do?" As Vatan is torn between suspicion and love with his loyalty hanging in the balance. Beauséjour isn't stupid either, far from it, noticing a change in her beloved husband.
It's not the first time Pitt has fallen in love with an agent, first one being a favourite of mine, Spy Game, which I strongly recommend for fans of the cunning, twisted stories. Marion Cotillard always plays those unlikable, yet beautiful characters that has something bubbling underneath, but this is different and it's the first role I actually like her in.
There's a good supporting cast with Jared Harris, Simon McBurney and an unrecognisable Lizzy Caplan. A good score from Zemeckis regular composer, Alan Silversti and some decent action sequences that serves as good fillers for the long-winded, unfolding mystery.
But it's not entirely a mystery, though it plays out really well. Superbly edited but it's flawed with major plot holes which gladly might get overlooked. But it's an elaborate scheme of a story with plenty of space for questions as to why rushing to the end so to smooth over the holes. I think Knight missed a trick and could have used this as an opportunity to add more twists.
Another issue with the film was Brad Pitt's acting, which I didn't find isn't believable. I actually think this is Pitt's worse performance when I compare it to his intense past acting in Spy Game and Legends of the Flal. Even with the strong chemistry between Cotillard and Pitt, it's Cotillard who saves the film,
It's a good story, even if quite awry, entertaining and well shot but it's far from being Zemeckis' and Pitt's best work. Maybe Cotillard's.
"Show me your chickens!"
Running Time: 7
The Cast: 8
Performance: 5
Direction: 8
Story: 7
Script: 7
Creativity: 9
Soundtrack: 7
Job Description: 6
The Extra Bonus Point: 0
Would I buy the Blu-ray?: Maybe if on special, wouldn't be a priority buy though.
64% 6/10
