When I looked at the rating of the movie I almost didn't watch it. Luckily I distrust the ratings these days. I'm so happy I do.
This is a rare find of a movie. I think one should focus on it being a spy drama. It is not a thriller. Not that it does not have its thrilling moments.
The movie is about an end-of-the-road spy and a youngster that has to shadow him. And herein lies the brilliance of the movie. Using relationships and not technology, using common sense and not apps. There is much to glean from the rich experience of the old spy. The pace is perfect. There are reminiscences and emotions, moments of style and moments of sadness. It's all there.
This is more like a good old spy novel than a genre movie. And frankly, the genre has little to offer. Which is why Daniel Craig's Bond rebuilt the fading franchise. Almost no gadgets.
The story develops and the suspense is well-tuned. For those who "couldn't get to the end", well, your loss. It has a wonderful twist that I for one didn't see coming.
Kingley makes the movie. What a giant of acting. And Monica Belucci almost renders the same impact as a Sophia Loren. What a dame! Itay Tiran is someone to keep an eye on.
Well, I loved the movie. Every bit of it. But then, I watched the first Star Wars in the cinema and thought that it was the most incredible thing I ever saw. That's when Michael Bay was 12.
