Spies vs. Spies
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5)
Director, Steven Soderbergh, has been wowing us with his trademark avant-garde arthouse style since the 1989 breakthrough, “Sex, Lies and Videotape." His hugely successful “Ocean’s” trilogy is critically acclaimed. Heist and crime are his forte. And his latest spy thriller, “Black Bag,” is a cut-to-the-chase, stylish and sexy agent whodunit.
Fassbender’s George is cool and subdued, yet precise and pristine. After a change of shirt, due to a slight spatter on his sleeve from cooking dinner, he gathers the suspects to dine in a Hercule Poirot sort of fashion. The performance is captivating.
Intelligence agents (and power couple), Kathryn (Cate Blanchett) and George (Michael Fassbender), are put to the test when it becomes clear that there is a mole in the agency - Kathryn, being the prime suspect in this act of treason. George is meticulous and leaves no stone unturned, as he skillfully interrogates the other agents, who possess their own strong wills and unshakable personas.
Witty and intense dialogue (along with an escalating dinner table scene) that sets you up for a quick and fast-paced one and a half hour of intrigue that ties all the pieces together, without any loose ends.
Blanchett, as always, is breathtaking. Although, not one of her more challenging roles, Kathryn is simply a bad-ass character. That’s good enough for me! Not to mention her perfume at bedtime and mysterious trips abroad. Supporting players are equally enigmatic and captivating: Naomie Harris and Regé-Jean Page bring layers of mystery, volatility and tension to their spies, Dr. Zoe and Col. James. Tom Burke has shown immense versatility and range in all of his rolls - from 2022’s “The Wonder” to last year’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” to this film. Where his passionate spy, Freddie, and his intensity, leave little room for a poker face. Equally notable is Marisa Abela (2024’s Back to Black) as spy, Clarissa, who vehemently refuses to be outsmarted, both personally and professionally.
David Koepp’s writing feels beautifully old Hollywood, yet brilliantly fresh as he takes on espionage and peels its meticulous layers with each scene.
This is renowned writer/producer/director David Koepp’s third team up with Soderbergh. 2022’s “Kimi,” 2024’s “Presence” and now “Black Bag” are genre defying. The two filmmakers, together, have created some masterful thrillers; and I would definitely like to see their collaboration continue.
