Movie Review – Black Bag

Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett are spies for the British government who are also married. When one of them is led to believe their spouse might be working for the bad guys, it sends them down a twisty road of spy theories and distrust, both among each other and with their colleagues. In the end, the road leads them back to each other in unexpected ways.

For only being an hour and a half, this film utilizes every second of screen time to dig quickly into the story without ever feeling rushed. It takes its time without overstaying its welcome, and is never boring or predictable. A much needed spy thriller for the modern era.

The entire cast, which includes Pierce Brosnan, Naomi Harris, and newcomer Marisa Abela (Back to Black), fully commits. Each brings a bit of swagger to their part, especially Abela and Harris who each spar with Fassbender and Blanchett during scenes where the line between lies and the truth are blurred and boy are those scenes fun to watch. And that swagger I spoke of? Cate Blanchett owns it fully. Even her hair has it.

This is one of the best spy movies of not just recent times, but probably ever. There’s something about this Steven Soderbergh directed film that is truly special. David Koepp’s screenplay is damn near perfect. Like I said, not a wasted moment and it never feels rushed.

Four and a half out of five stars.