Follows a world of even deeper intrigue and subterfuge, with characters fighting their own battles as they grapple with existential threats to the nation and the world.Follows a world of even deeper intrigue and subterfuge, with characters fighting their own battles as they grapple with existential threats to the nation and the world.Follows a world of even deeper intrigue and subterfuge, with characters fighting their own battles as they grapple with existential threats to the nation and the world.
- Awards
- 1 nomination total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'The Agency' garners mixed reactions. Many commend the strong cast, especially Michael Fassbender, and the intriguing spy plot. However, critics argue it falls short as a remake of the French series 'Le Bureau des Légendes,' lacking depth and authenticity. Some cite writing and pacing issues, while others appreciate complex characters and political intrigue. Production values and cinematography receive praise, but the overall reception is divided, with many recommending the original series.
Featured reviews
In 'The Agency' three stories compete for your attention.
In one (and the primary story by far) a CIA operative is attempting to rescue another spy who is captured behind Russian Lines near the Ukraine border.
In another, that same operative is attempting to save the life of his lover; a Sudanese Economist.
In the third, we follow the efforts of a young woman, new to the CIA, attempting to move up the ladder and land a prestige spy-assignment in Iran.
What is interesting is that these three stories are not tied together, either in terms of plot or character overlapping. With one exception: the spy 'handler' / 'mother hen' played by a wionderful Katherine Waterston who is linked to each of the three plot-lines. Fiercely protective, fiercely effective, likely in love with our CIA Operative, she is the strong force behind the ten episodes.
For a TV Series, this series' overall production is excellent. Set for the most part in London, U. K. we see that city as both grand and dangerous; its boulevards and architecture perfect backgrounds for the malice and double-dealing behind its walls.
The series is a bit overly complex; particularly the attempt to save the American spy; there are too many Russian Generals involved, too many Russian names that look and sound too much alike to be easy distinguished. This, added to by the story's slow movement / advancement may leave the viewer frustrated. The young woman advancing up the CIA ladder is a story tight, easy to follow, and suspenseful; more interesting is that we're never really certain of her motives. Saving the Sudanese woman is the love interest every good story needs, and in this case, gets.
Michael Fassbender is believable as the worn out CIA Operative. Jeffrey Wright has just the right amount of righteous indignation as Fassbender's immediate superior. Richard Gere as Wright's boss; kind of wasted in a role anyone might have played. I will never forget Jodie Turner Smith as the regal and vulnerable Sudanese woman. Nor Saura Lightfoot-Leon. As the ladder-climbing young agent; terrific.
Here's a series with difficulties, pARticularly in its earlier episodes. And I would never fault anyone for giving up on it. But for those who stick around, I've got the feeling you'll find it worthwhile.
In one (and the primary story by far) a CIA operative is attempting to rescue another spy who is captured behind Russian Lines near the Ukraine border.
In another, that same operative is attempting to save the life of his lover; a Sudanese Economist.
In the third, we follow the efforts of a young woman, new to the CIA, attempting to move up the ladder and land a prestige spy-assignment in Iran.
What is interesting is that these three stories are not tied together, either in terms of plot or character overlapping. With one exception: the spy 'handler' / 'mother hen' played by a wionderful Katherine Waterston who is linked to each of the three plot-lines. Fiercely protective, fiercely effective, likely in love with our CIA Operative, she is the strong force behind the ten episodes.
For a TV Series, this series' overall production is excellent. Set for the most part in London, U. K. we see that city as both grand and dangerous; its boulevards and architecture perfect backgrounds for the malice and double-dealing behind its walls.
The series is a bit overly complex; particularly the attempt to save the American spy; there are too many Russian Generals involved, too many Russian names that look and sound too much alike to be easy distinguished. This, added to by the story's slow movement / advancement may leave the viewer frustrated. The young woman advancing up the CIA ladder is a story tight, easy to follow, and suspenseful; more interesting is that we're never really certain of her motives. Saving the Sudanese woman is the love interest every good story needs, and in this case, gets.
Michael Fassbender is believable as the worn out CIA Operative. Jeffrey Wright has just the right amount of righteous indignation as Fassbender's immediate superior. Richard Gere as Wright's boss; kind of wasted in a role anyone might have played. I will never forget Jodie Turner Smith as the regal and vulnerable Sudanese woman. Nor Saura Lightfoot-Leon. As the ladder-climbing young agent; terrific.
Here's a series with difficulties, pARticularly in its earlier episodes. And I would never fault anyone for giving up on it. But for those who stick around, I've got the feeling you'll find it worthwhile.
The Agency is a must watch for anyone a fan of spy thrillers. First of all, the cast is absolutely amazing. It stars Michael Fassbender, Jeffery Wright, Richard Gere and Katherine Waterston. That cast right there is reason enough to five this a try and on top of that it's a really good show too. I won't be surprised to see this show and most of the cast nominated for some awards come award season. The series is about a covert CIA agent (Fassbender) who is ordered to leave his undercover life and return to the field with his ex lover (Waterston) who he's still in love with. His love for her starts to interfere with his real life and the mission. If you're a fan of spy thrillers or a good mystery series then give this a try. You won't be disappointed.
This is a strange one, an spy action series without action.
I mean there is some action but that one is just complementary, the main part is psychology, building drama and staff.
It is a smart show but because things are moving with a slow pace you have time to think about it and process the plot, making the cracks more obvious.
I loved this approach of not filling me with dumb action that force you to shut down your brain to watch it, it was like a fresh breeze of air comparing to other action shows.
But stills sometime it feels odd and temporary spoils the pleasure of watching it.
Overall, not perfect but solid, didn't regret watching it.
I mean there is some action but that one is just complementary, the main part is psychology, building drama and staff.
It is a smart show but because things are moving with a slow pace you have time to think about it and process the plot, making the cracks more obvious.
I loved this approach of not filling me with dumb action that force you to shut down your brain to watch it, it was like a fresh breeze of air comparing to other action shows.
But stills sometime it feels odd and temporary spoils the pleasure of watching it.
Overall, not perfect but solid, didn't regret watching it.
A story that unveils the humanness of tradesmen and women in the most controversial business of all time. By the way the characters are built and portrayed any wild guess can be true. Great dim visuals for indoor scenes screams it's all business. Excellent work with camera and visuals. Great work with audio and background music. Intro music is very relatable and mood setting. Performances by the whole cast felt very natural, and it was well chosen group. This is not the regular spy drama we come across but rather a portrayal of the toll it takes for operatives to serve their countries while surviving.
A well-made series where Richard Gere and Michael Fassbender are wasted on it and play at 40-55 percent of their abilities and instead of the latter, though playing nicely and convincingly good, I would have liked to see Richard Armitage in his place and rank. The Russian and Ukrainian situations and visuals are mostly good as well as are the scenes with Sami Zahir and Danny.
A little suspension of disbelief here and there and you got yourself ten convincing episodes of high value targets drama.
Please bear in mind that it's mostly done right without stellar realism that are impossible to reach at a fictional level without making fuss, creating conflicts and deteriorating the storylines' plots.
A little suspension of disbelief here and there and you got yourself ten convincing episodes of high value targets drama.
Please bear in mind that it's mostly done right without stellar realism that are impossible to reach at a fictional level without making fuss, creating conflicts and deteriorating the storylines' plots.
- Screenplay/storyline/plots: 7.5
- Production value/impact: 7
- Development: 8
- Realism: 7
- Entertainment: 8
- Acting: 8
- Filming/photography/cinematography: 8.5
- VFX: 8.5
- Music/score/sound: 7
- Depth: 7
- Logic: 6.5
- Flow: 7.5
- Political/Drama/thriller/psychology/sp i: 7
- Ending: 7.
"The Agency" Stars Through the Years
"The Agency" Stars Through the Years
From X-Men: First Class and "The Acolyte" to The Cotton Club, check out the TV and movie roles of "The Agency" stars Michael Fassbender, Jodie Turner-Smith, Richard Gere, and more.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe way a Case Officer turns out an Agent ( or Informer or Confidential Informant), is through the use of the acronym MICE, which stands for:
- Money
- Ideology
- Compromise (aka Blackmail)
- Ego
- GoofsDuring dialog from Martian in a discussion with Dr. Blake, the acronym "OBE" is incorrectly explained as "Overtaken By Events". In US Government agencies, including those in the Intelligence Community and Department Of Defense, the correct/official explanation of the acronym "OBE" is "Overcome By Events".
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits presents the characters and scenes from the series interspersed with mirror panes. The former Director of Counterintelligence at the CIA, James Jesus Angleton, also known as the "poet-spy", described the Intelligence game as the "Wilderness of Mirrors", which was a phrase borrowed from a poem by T.S. Eliot called Gerontion (The title is Greek for "little old man," and the poem is an interior monologue relating the opinions and impressions of an elderly man, which describes Europe after World War I through the eyes of a man who has lived most of his life in the 19th century). In the world of Intelligence, in the the search for truth, it is hard to tell the difference between reality and a reflection thereof, an illusion if you will, as if one were in a "Hall of Mirrors".
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- Runtime1 hour
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What is the Canadian French language plot outline for The Agency: Central Intelligence (2024)?
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