Film Review: Spy Game (2001)

China and United States had much better relations at the start of 21st Century than now. This reflected on Hollywood, increasingly dependent on lucrative Chinese market. So, any film that showed Americans and Chinese being something less than best friends had to be a period piece, suggesting that any misunderstandings were thing of the past. At least, this is the impression you might get from the opening scenes of Spy Game, 2001 action film directed by Tony Scott.

The plot begins in 1991 when CIA agent Nathan Muir (played by Robert Redford) prepares to enjoy well-deserved retirement after thirty years of successful service. His last day on the job, however, proves to be the most challenging. Only few hours earlier, CIA agent Tom Bishop (played by Brad Pitt) was arrested while trying to extract a prisoner from notorious prison of Chinese city of Suzhou. Since USA and China are just conducting delicate trade negotiations, CIA bosses do anything to distance themselves from Bishop, although he is about to be executed in 24 hours. Since Bishop used to be his protege within CIA, Muir is interrogated by his superiors and during the process he remembers his partnership with Bishop – how he discovered him while he served as US military sniper at the end of Vietnam War, his recruitment into CIA and service in 1970s Berlin, followed by service in war-torn 1980s Beirut where Bishop’s career is going to be put to test because of romantic relationship with idealistic humanitarian Elizabeth Hadley (played by Caroline McCormack). While interrogation goes on, Muir begins to hatch his own plan how to save Bishop’s life.

Spy Games had misfortune of being released to cinemas shortly after 9/11. Because of that the story about immensely competent CIA agents burdened with ethical dilemmas was somewhat difficult to sell to the audience. It was even harder to advance views that US national interests require sacrifice of innocent people or that suicide bombers are legitimate weapon of secret war. But the hardest is the idea that in some situation life of a single spy means more than US national interests, and that such man is worthy of risking Third World War. To some degree, it was easier to audience to swallow when the spy in question was played by handsome Aryan-looking boy like Brad Pitt and his mentor was played by Robert Redford, object of desire by countless Boomer women and whose good looks would, like in the case of dreadful Indecent Proposal, make audience root for someone whose morals leave much to be desired. Spy Game might make some viewers question why would experienced professional like Muir risk anything over irresponsible cowboy like Bishop and some viewers, especially those who were having fun finding hidden meanings, would find answers of homoerotic nature. Unfortunately, script by Michael Frost Beckner (known for disastrous Cutthroat Island) and David Arata (known for similarly disappointing Brokedown Palace) didn’t use that idea. They also didn’t think much of the idea to have the most spectacular and breath-taking action scenes shown through flashbacks, thus depriving audience of dilemmas over survival of the main characters. Director Tony Scott didn’t think much of this film either and took Spy Game as just another excuse for MTV-style orgy of rapid editing. The cast, which ultimately helped the film get decent box office results, is good, but it can’t overcome terrible characterisation and unconvincing plot. Viewers should be advised to spend two hours of their time on something more watchable.

RATING: 2/10 (-)

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