Like the great spy thrillers of the past, no second is wasted in this fast-paced (but still surprisingly moving) war thriller.
What it's about
Based on true events, the film follows real-life businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) and USSR official Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) as they embark on a risky mission to help prevent the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The take
All of the fat has been trimmed in The Courier, a fast-paced Cold War thriller based on the real-life British businessman and Soviet intelligence officer who struck a surprising friendship as they delivered vital nuclear information to the CIA. It’s tense and high-wire, but in between moments of suspense, there’s dry comic relief and moving displays of tenderness. The pacing is masterful, and every element—from score to editing to performance—works hand in hand to deliver what feels like an old-fashioned espionage film. There are little to no frills and flourishes here, just good ‘ol spying, chasing, and whipsmart comebacks.
What stands out
There’s something about Cumberbatch and period dramas that just makes sense, isn’t there? He’s like the male version of Keira Knightley, or whatever the opposite of “iPhone face” is.
Comments
Add a comment
Your name
Your comment
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
UP NEXT
More like this in
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
A star-studded and riveting legal drama with a blockbuster feel.
8.1
The Guilty (2018)
A minimalist, razor-sharp thriller that will have you gasping for air.
9.0
His Three Daughters (2024)
Three sisters deal with life and death in this moving family portrait
8.9
System Crasher (2019)
A tale of trauma and one of the most talked about movies on Netflix in 2020.
9.0
Incendies (2011)
Part melodrama, part war thriller, Incendies is gorgeous and heartbreaking from the first scene
9.9
Wind River (2017)
Sicario's screenwriter directs this story of murder in an Indigenous reserve
9.4
A Silent Voice (2016)
A coming-of-age movie that circles around friendship and the atonement of a boy
8.7
Cold War (2018)
A quiet Polish masterpiece with ravishing music and dazzling visuals
9.2
Short Term 12 (2013)
Sweet, slow-moving, and possibly life-changing, this American drama shines the light on the chaos and crises of social work in America
9.9
Wild Tales (2014)
Co-produced by Pedro Almodóvar, this tumultuous Argentine anthology film tests the limits of human sanity when pushed to the extremes – and will also test yours.