Director: Susanna Fogel.
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon, Justin Theroux, Sam Heughan.
I had been looking forward to seeing this, reading and hearing a lot of good things from fellow bloggers and critics from across the pond. There’s certainly a buzz about this film other than it having Kunis and McKinnon in it, which are of course, great pluses.
Written and directed by Susanna Fogel, she gives us a comedy actioner that’s similar to films like Knight and Day, This Means War and Central Intelligence. But what’s really different with this, is the friendship bond between the two lead roles. It also reminded me of a few 80’s classics like Midnight Run, Flashback and especially See No Evil, Hear No Evil.
Audrey, who’s been recently dumped by her boyfriend turns out to be someone she didn’t expect and when things start to go really south for their relationship, she ends up embarking on a secret mission across Europe for the greater good. But, obviously, and thankfully, not alone, with Morgan being her loud, often awkward and even more inappropriate best friend forever.
Yes, it’s silly and totally unbelievable but it sets a perfect premise for some great comedy, which is almost entirely shared out between Audrey and Morgan, though it’s not balanced between the two. Kunis as the ‘normal’ gamer girl-next-door, Audrey, who is funny and whilst not looking like being in competition with McKinnon’s Morgan, McKinnon gets all the best lines purely because of how her character is written.
I’m a big fan of McKinnon and love her in everything she does, though I don’t necessarily like everything she’s in. So, fans of her quirky, outrageous self will not be disappointed and this is definitely the role just for her. (Is it worrying that I actually have real life best friends like her!?) Equally, I’m an admirer of Kunis, but basically her character is there to look pretty, and that she does so well. *swoons*
Something that really impressed me was the action sequences. I don’t know what I was expecting but I was totally surprised at the level of skilled choreography and stunt work that was brilliantly executed and captured. Plus, it didn’t hold any punches being quite rough and violent for a comedy.
The locations are good, showcasing Europe quite nicely, and not your typical hot spots either. It comes with a decent soundtrack too, and I think Tyler Bates does a good, modern score. I say think, because I didn’t get to hear it properly, but the parts I did, suited the film well.
Now, as much as this was great fun to watch, it does, much like many of it’s closely related films, come with its own flaws, expectedly so. It flaps a little during the second half, but the key weakness here was sadly Heughan’s character. Whilst he’s quite the dashing and rather charming british secret agent, carrying the right posture and presence, there’s something quite not fitting about him. Maybe too clean cut for this role and his acting is a little questionable. But look at the duo he’s got to compete with.
Plus, now the story’s done I don’t feel like it needs a follow up sequel. It’s good as it is and should be left there. I say this because the reason why this was so much fun, was because the pair of them were so ridiculously out of their depth and I can’t see how anyone can expand on their relationship.
If you’re got a BFF be it male or female, I urge you to go watch it with them. I mean.. what’s that meme again? “A good friend will help you move, but a best friend will help you hide the body?” This film is precisely for those kind of best friends.
Running Time: 8
The Cast: 7
Performance: 7
Direction: 8
Story: 6
Script: 7
Creativity: 8
Soundtrack: 8
Job Description: 8
The Extra Bonus Point: 10 for the surprisingly good action and McKinnon (I'm sure I've awarded bonus points purely for McKinnon before)