Black Bag - Movie Review

As in many other works, the main theme of ‘Black Bag’ is plunged into the areas of espionage and decisions, ethical or not. Kathryn Woodhouse a legend top intelligence agent shows signs of treason, thus making her husband, another legendary intelligence agent conflicted in as he is torn between continuing to work for his country and protecting your wife. Through such elements of the film, viewers are provided with the suspense, unexpected moments of twists and turns, and philosophical questions on the identity of patriotism. The tone is suspenseful, and a refined setting serves as evidence that this movie is of high stakes as it keeps its audiences on the edge. This is a realistic spy tale that sets an excellent table of the psychological battle and makes spectators rethink about the meaning of the word loyalty. Cate Blanchett plays the character of Kathryn in a captivating manner portraying the aspects of a woman trapped with suspicion. The characters are supported well by several main cast members such as Pierce Brosnan and Tom Burke who deliver excellent performances.

This is seen through Steven Soderbergh who directs the movie well given the complexity of the plot line as well as thorough knotting of the storyline. It is capable of differentiating the storyline between level of suspense and self-reflectiveness, thus making the film appealing.

The sound track of the film also suits the nature of the film best: at times it adds appropriate suspense where it is needed most. It is a music that is fully aware when to dictate feelings and when to hammer on a climactic self-importance.The cinematography by Peter Andrews is great and gives the movie deep shades and reflections. From the gloomy and secretive scenes where ambiance anticipates drama to the open-ended shots that create an inflexible premonition of a spy tale, the light is an added value addition to the story telling.

The actors, set and locations take the movie into the world of spies and espionage perfectly, creating a quasi-real world ambiance. The location playing from intimate rooms gloomy and dusty to open contemporary offices creates a proper atmosphere to the movie depending on the situational context.

The use of special effects is minimal but efficiently used to enhancing on very crucial parts of the whole movie. This restraint helps to keep the focus on the story and characters.

The transitions are clean and tighten the mood of the film’s tension. It ‘teases’ a dramatic move just enough before fully revealing it and using it in an effective shake of the viewer. It gives time for development of the characters and the actions occur at a good pace.

All the conversation is clear and significant, the characters’ personality and their motivations are revealed. It is for this reason that while watching ‘Black Bag’ I found the conversations not to be mere dialogue but multi-level discussions that enrich the themes of the fiction.Despite the show’s overall strong thematic and character development, some of my fellow viewers may find it confusing and complex since it is a spy series. However, the first timers may find it complicated since the movie interweaves many layers into the story as opposed to cutting out something that really makes a film exciting to watch. On the issue of loyalty, trust and integrity, it holds its own luster as one of the best films of the espionage films. It breaks some rules of the galactic order so that the viewers have something to discuss with their friends and families as to whose side they would have been on in that movie.