The Spy Thriller genre is a long time moneymaker for Hollywood. In recent years the
genre has split into two basic sub-genres, the slick gadget film like the recent Bond
films and the more dialogue heavy film like Three Days of the Condor. Spy Game
is the latest entry to the later category. This film looks at the history between a highly
placed CIA, Nathan Muir (Robert Redford) agent and the younger man he recruited, Tom
Bishop (Brad Pitt). The story is presented in a very interesting manner. There is the main
storyline where Bishop is captured by the Chinese government while trying to help a
prisoner escape. On the day before his retirement Muir is called in for background on
Bishop. Considered a rogue agent. As the questioning proceeds Muir relates how he meet
Bishop in Viet Nam when he recruited Bishop as a sniper to the actual recruitment and
training of Bishop shortly after the war ended. These flashbacks are a string of vignettes
that relate the complex relationship between Muir and Bishop. The follow the careers of
the two men and explores the mentor position Muir holds with Bishop. Under the watchful
eye of Muir Bishop learns the reality of his chosen life as a CIA operative. He has to
develop Assets people used for information and then discarded like
yesterdays newspaper. Bishop has one flaw as a spy he genuinely cares about people.
In on assignment he is to bring a defector over from East Germany. He overcomes every
obstacle only to be told by Muir at the last minute to abort the operation and leave the
defector to be executed by the East Germans. These lessons are difficult for Bishop that
not only are most people are expendable but as far as the agency is concerned, so is he.
Back in the main story Muir discovers that the agency is about to let Bishop die rather
than ruin a trade negotiation between the US and China. Muir mounts an operation of his
own, highly illegal, forbidden and right under the very noses of his superiors. It seems
that Bishop was helping an asset that he made back in Beirut, a young woman that he had
the misfortune of falling in love with. While even Muir did his best to break up the
relationship Bishops feelings for Elizabeth (Catherine McCormack) are so strong it
caused a riff between Bishop and his mentor. Still, Muir can not retire knowing that the
very talent Bishop would end his life in such a manner. By cutting between the flashbacks
and the current time the story blends the best of action and dialogue drive spy flicks.
Redford wears the role of Muir like a man slipping on a faded pair of jeans. He brings
the cool, collected spy to life much in the same way he did in Day of the Condor. While
his face shows the lines of age his talent has matured and grown tremendously over the
years. The difficulty in a character like Muir is the audience gains no knowledge of the
man during the film. Much like his follow agents in the CIA, we are left at the end of the
film without a clue as to the background of Muir. Still, the audience can grow to care
about this enigmatic character. Only an actor of Redfords caliber could have pulled
this off so well. Redford and Pitt have apparently wanted to work together ever since Pitt
stared in Redfords acclaimed independent film. A River Runs Through It.
In that film Redford was behind the camera. Here we are treated to the two actors sharing
the screen. Pitt has always been more than willing to shed the pretty boy
image for grittier roles. Here he appears more beaten up than he was in Fight
Club. While widely known as a heartthrob this man can act. His presentation of
Bishop shows some of the emotional baggage a spy must carry. The operation is everything
even if it means selling out someone you have grown close to. McCormack as the love
interest Elizabeth is a weak spot in the casting. She seems to drift too much in the role.
Without a doubt this is due to the script, which focuses on the relationship between the
two men, still, some better scenes for her would have helped. The audience needed a reason
why Bishop would sacrifice everything for her. The way the film shows it their
relationship was mostly physical. A few expository scenes between McCormack and Pitt would
have added a lot to the flow of the film.
The director of this film, Tony Scott, is no stranger to this genre. He has brought to
life such movies as Enemy of the State, Crimson Tide, True
Romance and The Hunger. Rather than live in the shadow of his well-known
director-brother Riddley, this Scott has proven he can captivate an audience. Scott
handles the pacing of the film very well. There is a balance achieved between the current
day scenes with the action packed flashbacks. Scotts use of unusual camera angles
reminded me of Hitchcocks camera work in North by Northwest. Visually the movie is
gripping. The use of sound is also well done. The choice of music helps audiences get a
good feel for the many locations the film utilizes. The pace is maintained by the cutting
between past and present. But expound upon what we know about Bishop although as the plot
unfolds we remain in the dark about Muir.
The disc is up to todays professional standards. The audio is presented in both
Dolby 5.1 and a booming DTS. The DTS provided a significantly fuller back fill effect and
corresponding more complete sound stage. The video transfer is excellent. Dont
mistake the varied video effects used by the director for a poor presentation. Scott uses
color wash and tonal push to heighten the effect for the frequent flashback scenes. The
extras shine on the disc. There is an excellent directors commentary where Scott
delves into the process used to bring this story to the screen. Universal also launches
their new Total Axess web interface where you can easily access many
additional features available web. This gives you behind the scene views, streaming video
and a lot more. With high bandwidth connections becoming more prevalent this was a nature
course for a studio to take. In the final analysis Spy Game requires more concentration
than some are willing to devote to a film. If you are the type that likes a story that
requires more than a causal viewing you will enjoy this film.
Please note: Some DVD players have a problem with this disc. On Toshiba, Sony and
several other players it is impossible to shut off the hearing impared captions. Universal
will replace the disc free. I sent in a disc and got the replacement in about a week. Just
mail the disc, not the package, to the below address and remember to include your mailing
address.
Spy Game DVD Return
PO Box 224468
Dallas, TX 75260
Posted 3/30/02