By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
“Let’s play a game.” This quote from “Black Bag” couldn’t be more appropriate, because at its core, it is about playing a lethal game of spy craft at the highest of stakes, even if it is played against one’s own spouse. This new espionage thriller from Steven Soderbergh takes audiences on a wild ride in London that is smartly crafted with twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing until the very end.
On the surface, George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) and Kathryn St. Jean (Cate Blanchett) are a normal, loving married couple, but they also happen to both be spies for their country of England. They have always been able to keep their secret lives separate from their married lives, which ends abruptly when a technological weapon called Severus is stolen and Kathryn is considered to be one of the suspected spies to have committed this treasonous act.
George, who is a human lie detector, is tasked with identifying the culprit and ensuring the harmful technology, which could kill tens of thousands of lives, does not fall into the wrong hands. In addition to his wife, Freddie Smalls (Tom Burke), Clarissa Dubose (Marisa Abela), Col. James Stokes (Regé-Jean Page), and Dr. Zoe Vaughan (Naomie Harris) are all potential suspects. As the evidence begins to mount, George must sift through the lies and uncover the hard truth, even if that truth points its accusatory finger at his own wife.
Oscar winning director Steven Soderbergh (“Traffic”) returns with his second film of the year after his failed horror experiment in “Presence.” “Black Bag” is a return to form for Soderbergh, creating a fast-paced, hard-hitting motion picture that tantalizes with its compelling intrigue. Teaming up with the screenwriter responsible for 1996’s “Mission: Impossible,” David Koepp, the complexities of the plot are expertly interwoven with smartly worded dialogue that teases with ambiguity. With a runtime of only one hour and 33 minutes, Soderbergh does not waste any time getting into the heart of this spy vs. spy plot. Despite its fast pacing, he makes efficient use of the time to fully develop these fascinating characters with interesting subplots. There’s an exquisitely crafted scene of a dinner party early in the film that highlights each of these main players and their unique characteristics, setting up an intense exchange that really sets the story in motion.
While there are similarities to previous spy films like “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” Soderbergh delves into showing the personal lives of these spies and the difficulties of maintaining any kind of personal relationships. As secrets are exposed, the crafty director complements these moments with a slick filmmaking style. The cinematography is almost a character in and of itself with his trademark continuous shots, with which he begins the film, letting the audience know that they’re in for a professional filmgoing experience.
This level of professionalism extends to the cast, with Michael Fassbender leading the way. The two-time Oscar nominee (“Steve Jobs” and “12 Years a Slave”) portrays his quiet observer character eloquently with an almost robotic detachment reminiscent of his underrated performance in 2023’s “The Killer.” While his line delivery and face remain calm, there are subtle tells in his eyes that signal an inner turmoil that never quite bubbles to the surface. If he does end up becoming the next James Bond, it is this type of performance that could land him that infamous role.
His co-star, Cate Blanchett, is certainly no slouch either with a resume that boasts eight Oscar nominations and two Oscar wins (“Blue Jasmine” and “The Aviator”). This is arguably the best actress in the business, and she does not disappoint, immersing herself fully in this role with an outer façade of a glamorous Hollywood diva whose ambiguous responses and reactions reveal nothing of her internal thoughts. This is a crucial element to foster the mystery of the story, and Cate delivers as only she can.
The supporting cast is equally remarkable, supplying their respective characters with rich depth. Oscar nominee Naomie Harris (“Moonlight”) is no stranger to espionage thrillers, having played the role of Moneypenny in the recent James Bond films. The British actress supplies this character with an uncanny ability to read and manipulate people. Tom Burke, also from England, provides a loose cannon vibe to his character that makes him appealing, yet self-destructive. Known for his breakout role in Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” Regé-Jean Page provides a notable performance as the ambitious agent who has a commanding, trustworthy screen presence. Adding additional gravitas is none other than James Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan, who plays a spy handler in this film.
This is a fine piece of cinema that won’t waste your time. “Black Bag” hits the gas pedal hard from the beginning but with well-written dialogue instead of intense action. Don’t expect a lot of gunplay from this espionage thriller, it is more of a cerebral focused story of deceit. It is worth it just to see the flawlessly intricate dance between Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender.
This movie earns
