"Our Kind of Traitor" (2016 release from the UK; 105 min.) bring the story of Perry and Gail, a British couple. While they are vacationing in Marrakesh, Perry is invited by a Russian guy to join for drinks, Dima takes a liking to Perry and soon the two of them are playing tennis, and Perry and Gail are invited to Dima's daughter's 18th birthday, an extravagant affair. During that party, Dima makes the big reveal: he is an oligarch and money-launderer but is in trouble from a competing oligarch. Dima asks Perry to deliver a memory stick containing damning information on British politicians to MI 6, in return for safety for his family. Perry reluctantly accepts. At this point we're not even 15 minutes into the movie, but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: this is the latest John LeCarre book adaption for the big screen, this time directed by Susanna White, best known for her work in TV (including BBC and HBO). Also noteworthy in the opening credits: "Presented by Amazon Prime Instant Video" (the movie was released simultaneously in US theaters and on Amazon). I have not read the book, so I cannot comment how closely the big screen adaption follows the book. This being a very plot-heavy crime thriller, I'm going to not make any further comments about the movie's lay-out, other than to say it is done very nicely, with actual character development, in particular as to Perry and Gale. The movie features top-notch on-location photography in London, Finland (standing in for Russia), Bern (extra bonus point for the clever use of the Einstein Museum), Paris, and Marrakesh. the lead performances from Ewan McGregor as Perry. Naomie Harris as Gail and Stellan Skarsgård as Dima all bring thoroughly enjoyable performances (I couldn't help but think of the parallels between McGregor's character here and Gary Grant's role in North by Northwest. At one point Perry comments "I don't want to be involved", to which the UK cop responds "you're already involved!".) Bottom line; this is a thoroughly enjoyable movie, and MILES better than the 2011 big screen adaptation of LeCarre's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy".
"Our Kind of Traitor" opened on 3 screens for all of Greater Cincinnati this long holiday weekend, and the Monday afternoon screening where I saw this at was attended very nicely, somewhat to my (pleasant) surprise. If you are a fan of spy thrillers, and in particular of John LeCarre adaptations, you cannot go wrong with this, be it in the theater, on Amazon Instant Video, or eventually on DVD/Bly-ray.
Couple of comments: this is the latest John LeCarre book adaption for the big screen, this time directed by Susanna White, best known for her work in TV (including BBC and HBO). Also noteworthy in the opening credits: "Presented by Amazon Prime Instant Video" (the movie was released simultaneously in US theaters and on Amazon). I have not read the book, so I cannot comment how closely the big screen adaption follows the book. This being a very plot-heavy crime thriller, I'm going to not make any further comments about the movie's lay-out, other than to say it is done very nicely, with actual character development, in particular as to Perry and Gale. The movie features top-notch on-location photography in London, Finland (standing in for Russia), Bern (extra bonus point for the clever use of the Einstein Museum), Paris, and Marrakesh. the lead performances from Ewan McGregor as Perry. Naomie Harris as Gail and Stellan Skarsgård as Dima all bring thoroughly enjoyable performances (I couldn't help but think of the parallels between McGregor's character here and Gary Grant's role in North by Northwest. At one point Perry comments "I don't want to be involved", to which the UK cop responds "you're already involved!".) Bottom line; this is a thoroughly enjoyable movie, and MILES better than the 2011 big screen adaptation of LeCarre's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy".
"Our Kind of Traitor" opened on 3 screens for all of Greater Cincinnati this long holiday weekend, and the Monday afternoon screening where I saw this at was attended very nicely, somewhat to my (pleasant) surprise. If you are a fan of spy thrillers, and in particular of John LeCarre adaptations, you cannot go wrong with this, be it in the theater, on Amazon Instant Video, or eventually on DVD/Bly-ray.