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The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer
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Any movie starring Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer is a winner – but thankfully Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has a lot more to offer than just eye candy.
Set in the tense days of the Cold War, the plot follows the challenges of an American and Russian spy working together to stop a wealthy (and lethal) couple from building and detonating a nuclear warhead. Throw in some fast cars, couture from a golden age in fashion and some guns – and you’ve got a recipe for some kick-ass viewing.
But if this is starting to sound pretty much like a Bond flick, except with two spies instead of one, that’s because, in terms of the mission, that’s what it is. That said, it rescues itself from being a cheap knockoff by (quite cleverly) veering away from a focus on plot and steering its efforts towards being a moving piece of Cold War art – a visual ode to a time gone by.
The film, which is an adaptation of an American TV series by the same name, doesn’t do much to distinguish itself from Fleming’s wildly successful book-turned-film franchise, but there’s nothing like the Ritchie touch when it comes to cinematography, sleek action scenes and quick wit.
Despite not writing the script, Ritchie’s is back in action – reminiscent of his work on the seminal classic Snatch. With all the grit and ruthless violence that tends to be at the core of his films, Ritchie has evolved to adopt a new sophistication we haven’t seen from him before. So while the tortured Russian spy (Hammer) falling for the damsel in distress (Alicia Vikander) is a little tired, to say the least, these lapses into stereotype are saved by a movie that is just delicious to watch.
Another triumph is the film’s attention to detail. With everything from the location shoots to the jewellery worn by the villain (the ever-impressive Elizabeth Debicki) and the realistic quality of the action scenes, there is a sense that the production team took its time to create something wonderful.
But what about the acting? Frankly, it was not much to write home about. Cavill was his dashing Superman self, and Hammer reawakened his inner Winkelvoss – so I don’t anticipate any big acting nods in the upcoming awards.
But the duo’s presence and commitment to moving the plot along carried what really was a visual tour de force.
