Spy Game

Cast : Brad Pitt, Robert Redford

Director : Tony Scott

My favorite kinds of films are the intellectual thrillers where you have to run, mentally, to keep up with the pace of the plot, lest you be left behind. The kind of movie where you park yourself in your seat and skip the concession counter or bathroom visits. The Usual Suspects is one such example. "Spy Game" is another. There is no melodramatic stupidity, no would-be witty one-liners, no unrealistic "deus ex machina" scenarios to insult the intelligence of the viewer. Instead, we're treated to a brilliantly intricate series of events woven together by a very talented cast.

The film begins with the capture of Tom Bishop (Pitt). He was on a mission, which remains unknown for the most part of the film, and is held in a chinese prison with 24 hours left he is executed. After those first 7 minutes i was sold on the rest of the film. I love spy films, although I have to admit I've never been a fan of the 007 films, but was always keen to the theme. What's cooler than being a spy? Batman?.. but thats a whole other story. So the opening sequence... it's quickly paced like most Tony Scott films, and is very slick. Even in the most dirty environments this film looks great. That's one thing that you just can't help in this film, there is plenty of style. Does it work? Sure.

We then cut to an asleep Robert Redford. He is awakened by a call filling him in on Bishop's capture. Today is Nathan's (Redford) last day at the CIA, but this situation is going to stir things up. You see, Nathan Muir was the one that brought Tom Bishop into the CIA. He taught him everything he needed to know. We learn this through a series of flashbacks as Nathan is asked to discribe his relationship and events that took place while knowing Tom. There are some heavy political issues at hand here, and so the CIA is willing to have the Chinese do as they wish with Tom. Do we ever really get a feel of these politics? Not really. But it doesn't matter. What does matter is the realtionship between Tom and Nathan. What matters is that the clock is ticking and that throughout the film, you want to see what happens.

Redford was great in this film and carried it completely. I've never been a big fan of his, but I loved his performance in this. His relationship and chemistry with Pitt was great and completely believable. It's a good thing too because otherwise the film just wouldn't have worked. The scenes are pretty tight and have a nice weight to them. The blend of past and present could not have worked better, although the characters just don't show the periods well as they never seem to age. But it's a minor detail.


I sometimes feel a story that is unbelievable looks more believable if it's told in a more realistic style. I'm sure I would have liked that more in this case, but I certainly didn't mind the style.

I recommend the movie.

Rating :

* * *