Nomandland

          Directed by Chole Zhao (who also wrote the screenplay) this is a glimpse into a fabric of American life, unfortunately becoming far too common in today's world. Through the eyes of Fern, a fictitious character played beautifully by Frances McDormand, we meet real nomads, displaced people carving out a life on the fringes of society. 

           Sometime after Fern's husband dies and she loses her job when the plant in her town goes bust, Fern packs her meager belongings into a van and hits the open road.  The film has a very loose narrative as it weaves its way across the American west following Fern as she moves state to state and job to job meeting various people and hearing their stories. She becomes friends with Linda May and another woman named Swankie. They share time together as their lives crisscross on the open road. Both women play a fictitious version of themselves but their lives and stories are real.

          The only other "actor" in the film is David Strathaim, playing a nomad who shares a minor mutual attraction with Fern. Both actors blend so easily into the landscape, the film feels more like a documentary than a scripted feature. Ms. Zhao's shoots the film in an unassuming and gentle way, letting the people and the landscapes fill in the narrative. The cinematography by Joshua James Richards is just wonderful. Close-ups on faces and still life appear like paintings come to life, lingering both on taut skin and beautiful scenery.

 

           In a film like this nothing really happens and yet everything does. These people may have been forced into their circumstances but they have learned to adapt to a new way of surviving the harsh realities of today's America. It is a tribute to their tenacity and quiet dignity.

Judas and the Black Messiah

 

      This new drama written (with Will Berson) and directed by Shaka King, is based on the true story of Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panthers Party in the late 1960's. It stars Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton and LaKeith Stanfield as Bill O'Neill, forced by the FBI to become an inside informer and ultimately betray Mr. Hampton.

      Mr. Hampton was a powerful, charismatic leader thoroughly committed to "power of the people" to lead a revolution in America. Mr. Kaluuya, while older than the actual Hampton was at the time, is no less charismatic and powerful in the role.  The film's focus is primarily on the rise of the Party and Mr. Hampton, but it is Mr. Stanfield who is mesmerizing as the conflicted O'Neill that makes for the more interesting character.

      A petty thief with no interest in politics, O'Neill is arrested for car theft and impersonating an FBI agent. Facing a long jail sentence, he agrees instead, to "join" the Panthers and become an informer for the FBI. Jesse Plemons, in his usual understated performance, plays Roy Mitchell, the agent that "runs" Mitchell. He fills his head telling him the Panthers are no better than the Klan, buys him expensive dinners and pays well for his information. At first, O'Neill enjoys the role but as his position in the Panther Party grows, things become more dangerous and much more of a conflict as his friendship and admiration grows for Mr. Hampton.

      Martin Sheen has the small but pivotal role as J. Edgar Hoover, whose ultimate decision seals the fate of the two men. Also co-starring is Dominique Fishback as Deborah Johnson, Mr. Hampton's love interest.  Ms. Fishback continues to shine as her roles continue to grow in film and TV.

      Mr. King's direction is taut and economical. He doesn't waste a frame and the film moves at a quick pace.  The music by Mark Isham and Craig Harris is an explosive jazz score that compliments the story well but can be grating at times. 

          This is an important piece of American history and its story, brought to the screen, is made that more compelling by the work of its two lead dynamic actors.

Martin Eden

          

         This is a throwback to great Italian cinema. The drama is loosely based on the novel by Jack London and is a star making turn for Luca Marinelli. As the title character, Mr. Marinelli brings Mr. Eden to life as a young man determined to become a writer as his way out of poverty and a chance to rise above his station in Italian society.

         A chance meeting with the rich socialite, Elena, played by Jessica Cressy, is love at first sight but to be accepted, Martin must become a member of the bourgeois class he detests. This is at once a love story and a story of social and class struggle in an Italy of an earlier time. It follows Martin's social and political awakening in a compelling way. 

        The direction by Pietro Marcello and cinematography by Alessandro Abate and Francesco Di Giacomo is fantastic, giving the film a visual flair to earlier Italian cinema. The film looks and feels like a product of the 1960's, rather than today. Mr. Marcello enjoys "the close-up", at times having the characters speak directly to the camera or by bringing the camera right up to their expressive faces. He intercuts scenes with metaphors, flashbacks and various archival footage that fill out the film and gives it more depth. 

        The film is in Italian with subtitles and is an Apple+ exclusive.

Palmer

      

     Rising just above a "Lifetime" movie, this new drama stars Justin Timberlake as an ex-convict trying to put his life in order after serving 12 years in prison. He returns to his small southern town and moves back in with his grandmother played by June Squibb. 

     What saves the film from sinking into melodrama is the terrific performance by Ryder Allen as "Sam" the young son of Palmer's neighbor, a "trailer trash" drug addict played by Juno Temple. Mr. Timberlake gives an understated performance but once Sam comes into his life, the film takes on a new life. When Sam's mother disappears for an extended period, Palmer gets an opportunity to bond with Sam in an unusual friendship.  Sam is "different" from other boys his age, preferring to play with dolls and watch fairy princess cartoons on television. What make him unique though is his early acceptance of who he is and that strikes a chord in Palmer.

      This is a story of acceptance and redemption that while honest, is far from subtle.  You can telegraph the entire story as it unfolds, from predicting the actions of the stereotyped characters to the final outcome. Young Mr. Allen is a revelation however, and a joy to watch.  There is true chemistry between him and Mr. Timberlake and their scenes together convey real emotion. 

          Fans of Mr. Timberlake will enjoy him in the title role but the film is an Apple+ exclusive and if you don't have Apple+, you really won't be missing anything. A far better film with similar themes of acceptance and redemption is "The Peanut Butter Falcon".

the little things

      

     Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto star in this police "thriller". Apparently, the script for this film has been in development for years and It shows. The mood is dark trying hard to emulate "Seven" or Zodiac" but doesn't even come close. The whole thing seems like a bad outtake from "True Detective".

      It may be how his character is written but Mr. Washington appears to have shown up just to collect a paycheck. As for Mr. Malek, I don't understand the appeal anyway. Yes, he was fantastic as Freddie Mercury in a role he was born to play but where's the range? A pedestrian actor who had a hit T.V. show and one good movie doesn't put him anywhere near the orbit of Mr. Washington or even Mr. Leto. And speaking of Mr. Leto, he is easily the best thing about this film. He disappears into his creepy character, gets the best lines and is actually fun to watch.

    Written and directed by John Lee Hancock, the film strives to be greater than its parts but never rises above mediocrity. There are police procedures that are absurd and character motivations that make no sense. Two "twists" at the end help explain things but it's too little too late.

     A major disappointment.

News of The World

 

       

     This new western by director and screenwriter (with Luke Davies) Paul Greengrass stars Tom Hanks as Captain Jefferson Kidd. Mr. Hanks is his usual noble, caring, self which is perfect, as a father figure to the young girl he escorts through hostile territory in the west of 1870.

       With the end of the Civil War, Captain Kidd supports himself traveling from town to town reciting to the masses, the news of the day culled from various newspapers he collects. One day he comes across a young orphaned girl dressed in Buckskin and speaking in Kiowa.  When no one else wants the responsibility of caring for the child, Kidd takes it upon himself to guide the girl safely to her relatives.

       The young girl is played by newcomer Helena Zengal and she is wonderful. The entire film rests on their relationship and she more than holds her own against Mr. Hanks.  Their chemistry together is terrific. And credit of course, also goes to Mr. Greengrass for his purposeful direction. The acting is all very sincere and while it follows a stereotypical western setting, with an ending you can see coming (five minutes into the film), it still works due to Mr. Hanks and Ms. Zengal.

       Along with the deft direction, the cinematography is excellent. The New Mexico landscapes are breathtaking. There is the usual assortment of dangers along the journey and even some surprises. The familiar supporting cast of Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Ray McKinnon, and Mare Winningham are all short cameos but they are all still appreciated.

       While not ranked one of his best, Mr. Hanks still elevates to film to an enjoyable level. The film is out now and available on VOD.

The White Tiger

    From India (but spoken in English for the most part) comes this new drama of class struggle in the Indian Caste system. As our protagonist, Balram, says 'there are only two types of people in India, those that live in the darkness and those that live in the light".

     Coming from a small, poor village, Balram is definitely one living "in darkness" but he hopes to improve his life by becoming the driver of a wealthy businessman named Ashok. When the film begins, we learn early on that Balram has become successful but just how, we learn in surprising flashbacks. Balram narrates his story as he composes an email to the Chinese Premier on the eve of his visit to India.

       While the film may remind you somewhat of "Slumdog Millionaire" (even given a sly reference), this is a very different kind of "rags to riches" story.

          Balram is played by Adarsh Gourav, a very engaging young actor and the film co-stars Rajkummar Rao as Ashok and Priyanka Chopra as his wife, Pinky.

            Written (screenplay based on the novel) and directed by Ramin Bahrani (who made the excellent "Man Push Cart" in 2005), the film crackles with energy and doesn't hold back from showing the dark side of Indian culture. It also has a great score by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans,  mixing traditional Indian music and Hip-Hop. The film is a Netflix exclusive.

One Night In Miami

       

Based on the play of the same title, this film imagines what took place when Cassius Clay (soon to be Muhammad Ali), Football star, Jim Brown, Singer Sam Cooke, and Malcolm X all meet after Clay's title bout against Sonny Liston in 1964.

       Malcolm X arranges a meeting in his hotel room after the fight, where it is his hope to "recruit" the stars into the Nation of Islam and join his cause. Clay has already decided but starts to question his decision and tension escalates between Malcolm and Same Cooke as the night goes on. 

        While most of the story takes place in the hotel room and feels very much like watching the play it's based on, director Regina King opens things up with clever camera angles and "opening up" the film in the beginning and the end. She also manages wonderful performances from her four main actors.  Kingsley Ben-Adir plays Malcolm X, Eli Goree plays Cassius Clay, Leslie Odom Jr. plays Sam Cooke and Aldis Hodge plays Jim Brown. Each actor is given their moment to shine but it is the interplay between the four that is most exciting to watch.

        Mr. Goree is wonderful as Cassius Clay. He captures the young boxer perfectly. Mr. Ben-Adir and Mr. Odum are both excellent, especially during their tense verbal fireworks. Mr. Hodge also holds his own as the quieter of the four who tries to keep things light but starts to question his own place in a "white man's world".

       While many questions are raised in this imagined scenario, there are no easy answers as the night ends. As the film comes to a close, we see the inevitable result of each man's decision, debated during that fateful night.

Let Him Go

      Diane Lane and Kevin Costner star in this surprisingly dark drama. They are a couple trying to get their young grandson, Jimmy, away from a dangerous family, after their son dies in an accident and their daughter-in-law remarries.

       The film co-stars Jeffrey Donavan and Leslie Manville. Ms. Manville plays the menacing matriarch of the family where Jimmy is living with his mom and stepdad. Mr. Donovan plays her nephew.

       Most of the film moves at a comfortable, deliberate pace amongst the beautiful scenery of Montana and North Dakota building slow tension until the third act when the situation turns inevitably violent and very ugly. Ms. Lane and Mr. Costner have great chemistry and are very natural together but this is far from a "feel good" movie.

My Top 10 for 2020

Soul- Pixar takes on the meaning of life through the life & “death” of a Jazz musician and it’s brilliant. Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey are perfect together.

Da 5 Bloods- Spike Lee re-imagines “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” in  contemporary Vietnam (and in flashbacks during the war) and takes on a host of contemporary issues. Wonderful cast.

Sound of Metal- centered on a rock drummer losing his hearing, Riz Ahmed’s performance is tremendous.

First Cow- period western that is a quietly effective ode to friendship.

My Octopus Teacher- a documentary about a man’s relationship with an octopus. Just try not to get swept up in its beauty and intelligence. Simply amazing.

Emma- Anya Taylor–Joy stars in this period piece that’s a fresh take on the classic novel.

Ma Rainy's Black Bottom- Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman anchor a wonderful cast in this filmed version of August Wilson’s great play.

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm- Sacha Baron Cohen once again exposes the ugly underbelly of America and adds a touching story of a father and daughter’s growing relationship.

The Invisible Man- Elizabeth Moss’s acting elevates this movie to A status as well as one incredible shocking scene.

Tenet- You’ll either love it or hate it but you can’t ignore the fact that Christopher Nolan is in a class by himself when it comes to mind blowing movie making. Small puzzles wrapped inside a bigger puzzle that may be impossible to figure out but exciting to watch.

Honorable mention-

“The Queen’s Gambit”- while not technically a movie, this multi-part show on Netflix  felt like a film and was worth every single moment.

Tenet

           A mind blowing, time twisting, adventure from writer/director Christopher Nolan. Mr. Nolan's breakout film was "Memento" and what made the film so fascinating was that it played in reverse. He also played with elements of time twisting in "Dunkirk" as major sections of that film occurred at different times that eventually merged into the same moment. And let's not forget how he messed with our heads with "Inception". In "Tenet", Mr. Nolan takes the concept of time itself to a whole new level. I won't pretend to understand the complexities of "Tenet" but I think I understood enough to appreciate the story even while it moves forward and backward in time sometimes even simultaneously.

         John David Washington stars as "The Protagonist", a secret agent with a one-word clue, "Tenet", on the trail of a billionaire arms dealer, (played by a menacing Kenneth Branagh) who has the ability to invert time. It's a complex concept that forces the viewer to really pay attention but it's worth every second.

         The film looks fantastic. Scenes reverse themselves in ways you can't imagine. You are watching something so new and original that it will blow you away, even if you don't quite understand the science and there's plenty of action sequences to keep you engaged. From the opening moments, the film takes off and never lets up. It's a remarkable work of movie magic brought to life by Mr. Nolan and his team. 

          Co-starring are Elizabeth Debicki as Mr. Branagh's wife, with an agenda of her own, that puts her in the center of the action and Robert Pattinson, as Neil, a shadowy figure helping "the Protagonist". Other friends and foes include Martin Donovan, Dimple Kapadia, Himesh Patel and Aron Taylor-Johnson. And of course, it wouldn't be a Christopher Nolan film without a cameo from Sir Michael Caine.

           

          To explain anymore would ruin the fun. If you trust seeing it in a theater, try to see it in IMAX for the ultimate experience. It's also currently streaming on various services for $19.99. You will probably need to see it at least twice and won't mind a bit.

The Personal History of David Copperfield

      Co-written and directed by Armando Iannucci, this new comedy-drama tells the story of David Copperfield from his point of view. It is a fresh, comedic and charming spin on the timeless classic.

      The adult David is played by Dev Patel, always an engaging actor, he is terrific in the role. As a child, David is played by Jairaj Varsani, an adorable little boy with a wonderful smile. Other familiar faces in the cast include Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood, Hugh Laurie as Mr. Dick, Ben Whishaw as Uriah Heep, Peter Capaldi as Mr. Micawber, Benedict Wong as Mr. Wickfield and Gwendoline Christie as Jane Murdstone. Also featured are Rosalind Eleazar as Agnes Wickfield, Morfydd Clark as Dora Spenlow and Diasy May Cooper as Peggotty. It is a fine cast representing all the well-known characters from the novel. Ms. Swinton, Mr. Capaldi and Mr. Laurie, in particular, have a ball with their roles and are all a sheer delight.

   
 Mr. Iannucci, known for his biting wit and sarcasm (VEEP) loves to play with language and sets a comedic tone for this revised version of "Copperfield". Typically filmed as a drama, this version is filled with great word play as well many visuals gags. He also faithfully recreates 1850's England with great sets, costumes and scenery. The film is very entertaining and I highly recommend it.

Soul

     Pixar Studios does it again with one of the best films of the year.  With each film they produce, they take on more and more complex themes and this time they ask the biggest question of all...what is the meaning of life?

      "Soul" stars a jazz pianist named Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx) who's been waiting his whole life for his one big break. In the meantime, he supports himself as a part time music teacher. After a freak accident, Joe "dies" and his soul is separated from his body on the way to "The Great Beyond". Joe doesn't accept his fate and his soul ends up in "The Great Beginning". Due to a mistaken identity, he ends up a mentor to another soul, number 22 (voiced by Tina Fey). 22 is a restless soul who can't seem to find the one spark that will allow her to travel to earth and merge with her physical body.

       Joe and 22 do eventually find their way to earth but not in the way they expected and this starts a series of comic misadventures to restore order in the universe. The film explores many complex themes and tries hard to simplify its concepts. For small children, these concepts may be hard to understand but they will still enjoy the colorful characters and energy of the story. For everyone else, it's a wonderful journey of self-discovery filled with humor, emotion, and absolutely fantastic animation. 

       Much of the film takes place in New York City (pre-pandemic) and it captures the energy and life of the city in all its glory. Animated scenes are incredibly lifelike from the streets to the subway to the smallest detail. There are sight gags galore (many of which may only be recognized by true New Yorkers).

       The film also features the vocal talents of Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashard, Daveed Diggs, Graham Norton, and Questlove. Of course, music is also an important element of the story. The score is by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross with Jazz contributions from Jon Batiste and consultations from Herbie Hancock and Terri Lyne Carrington. There are lessons of love, for family, for music, for life itself, presented in a remarkable way. I can't give enough credit to director Pete Docter, his writing partners, Mike Jones and Kemp Powers and his incredible team of animators.

         This is simply a wonderful film. Now streaming on Disney +.

The Midnight Sky

  George Clooney directs and stars in this futuristic adventure. 

     The film is set 28 years in the future and an unnamed cataclysmic event has made Earth almost completely uninhabitable.

 

     Mr. Clooney is the last remaining researcher at an Artic station trying to warn a spaceship returning to earth that it's not safe. The film splits its time between Mr. Clooney's efforts and the crew of the spaceship dealing with their own problems on their return home from exploring a new inhabitable planet. The flight crew are played by Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo, Kyle Chandler, Damien Bichir and Tiffany Boone. Also co-starring in a pivotal role is newcomer Caoilinn Springall. 

     After a slow start, the film begins to build momentum and there are many suspenseful moments particularly during a meteor shower and a trek through the snow to find a relay station that can send a signal to the spacecraft. Mr. Clooney's direction is well balanced and the script is thoughtful and surprising. The special effects and CGI work are first rate in both environments and I only wish I could have seen this in a theater to really appreciate the look and feel of the film.

       The film is out now streaming on Netflix and possibly playing in a movie theater somewhere.

Wonder Woman 1984

             Just when you thought 2020 couldn't get worse, Warner Brothers finally releases this horrible sequel. They may have struck gold with the first film but this one is not even worth tin.  

           Gal Gadot returns in the title role and really tries hard to make the film work but there are just too many problems to overcome. The script is terrible. You can forgive a movie based on a comic book to defy logic but within its own context, it still has to make sense.  Nothing about this story makes sense or has any sense of logic to keep the viewer engaged (unless you are a 9-year-old girl who will probably love it).

          Chris Pine as love interest Steve Trevor from the first film, also returns. He should be about 70 years old or so by now but the script finds a silly way to bring him back (at a price that is eventually important).

           Pedro Pasqual is the main villain and his acting is so bad, you're better off watching him in "The Mandalorian". Kristin Wiig also co-stars and any of her "Saturday Night Live" characters are better than her role here.  At times the sets and CGI are so bad, they look like they were done in director Patty Jenkins backyard. I just can't say enough how bad this film is. As usual,
DC comic films just can't complete with far superior Marvel films.

              The two central themes of the film are truth and wishes. Truth is, I wish I could get back the two and a half hours I wasted watching this mess. In theaters and HBO Max.

The Way Back

    Cliche heavy but still surprising, this new drama stars a brave and truly heartfelt performance from Ben Affleck. While High School basketball plays a big part of the story, it's really about an alcoholic battling his demons and finding the strength to change his life.

     The film co-stars Al Madrigal, Michaela Watkins, and Janina Gavankar, as well as some terrific high school basketball players. Mr. Affleck is front and center as the alcoholic construction worker given a chance to coach his former High School's basketball team after their coach has a heart attack. The team consists of many stereotypical characters but they are a charming bunch of kids and fun to watch as they come together as a team.

      A big reveal late in the film brings out the tissues and while sincere to the story, still manipulates the audience to root even more for Mr. Affleck. The basketball sequences are exciting and are a welcome counterpoint to watching the depths of Mr. Affleck's despair.

       Considering the real demons in Mr. Affleck's life, making this film had to be very personal and probably not easy  but it's an art imitating life performance that never wavers.

First Cow

        From director and co-writer, Kelly Reichardt, comes this gentle and beautifully crafted tale of the old west.

        After a clever nod to one of her previous films, we are transported back to Oregon in the 1800's where fur trappers are hunting the abundance of beaver and settlements are starting to grow throughout the territory.

       We meet "Cookie" played by John Magaro, a young man finding his way, working as a cook for a group of trappers. Once day, out looking for ingredients,  he meets "King Lu", played by Orion Lee. A friendship grows between the two men and they hatch a plan to secretly milk the only cow in the region to make "cakes" they can sell in the settlement. Toby Jones co-stars as "Chief Factor", the rich owner of the cow.

       Ms. Reichardt allows her story to grow slowly and organically. The camera lingers on little details as the two men go about their business. There is very little more to the plot than their friendship, life in the settlement and ultimately what happens when their secret is revealed. The authentic look and feel of the film is remarkable. Ms. Reichardt and her team truly transport us back in time, where we can linger and appreciate her quality storytelling.

The Invisible Man

              Written and directed by Leigh Whannell, this is a timely feminist spin on a classic story. Elisabeth Moss stars as Cecilia, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship. The film begins with her escaping her controlling and abusive lover, Adrian, only to find out shortly thereafter, he has committed suicide. 

               When strange things start happening to Cecilia and the people around her, she suspects Adrian has somehow faked his death or is haunting her in some way. Of course everyone else thinks she is just becoming unhinged as a result of her traumatic relationship.

                Ms. Moss is the emotional center of the film and she is terrific conveying fear, anxiety, and eventually strength to face her adversary. The film, while not providing any real scares, is still suspenseful enough as Cecilia grapples with escalating torment. 

                 The film co-stars Aldis Hodge (turning up everywhere these days), Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, Michael Dorman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen. The entire cast sells the concept but it's Ms. Moss's performance that keeps the audience fully engaged.

                  The special effects are effective (especially in one particular jarring scene) and the music, by Benjamin Wallfisch, really makes a difference contributing to the suspense throughout the film. 

                  Why the film was released in the Imax format is a mystery. There is nothing special about it to warrant that format so if you are planning to see it in a theater, save some money and avoid the Imax version.

Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)

     D.C. comics gets this one right. After an introduction to the character of Harley Quinn in "Suicide Squad", Margot Robbie returns as the living embodiment of Ms. Quinn in her own film. While the title may be "Birds of Prey", make no mistake, this is a starring vehicle for Ms. Robbie, who also produced the film.

     Ms. Robbie is joined by Rosie Perez as detective Rene Montoya, Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary and Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain. They don't actually come together until late in the film, joining forces to rescue Cassandra from "Black Mask", played by a scenery chewing Ewan McGregor, and his right hand man, Victor Zsasz, play by Chris Messina. For most of the film, we are treated to Harley Quinn madness and mayhem as she struggles to accept her "break up" from The Joker and tries to be her own woman.

     Directed by Cathy Yan, with a script by Christina Hodson the Harley comic book is brought to life in all its craziness. This R rated action comedy is strictly for fans though, who will appreciate Ms. Robbie's commitment to the character and all the inside jokes. 

The Rhythm Section

           Despite star Blake Lively acting with conviction, "The Rhythm Section" is completely out of tune. It's a paper thin revenge story that flirts with an espionage connection that goes nowhere. A typical studio film released in the bleak movie month of February where bad films go to die.

            When she discovers the plane crash that killed her family was actually a terrorist bomb, Ms. Lively awakens from a three year stupor of drugs and prostitution to track down those responsible. She rather easily finds co-star Jude Law, an ex-MI 6 agent, living in the middle of nowhere Scotland who, out of the goodness of his heart, helps train her to locate the terrorists. Sterling K. Brown also co-stars as an rogue information broker living in Tangiers. No matter what role Mr. Brown takes in a film, he's always a variation of "Randall" from "This Is Us".

              Ms. Blakely tries hard with a script by Mark Burnell, who based the film on his novel but it's easier to find an MI 6 agent in the middle of Scotland than to take this story seriously. What the film does have going for it, is a beautiful world travelogue. Set in multiple countries, the scenery is lovely. Otherwise, things blow up, people die, there is a requisite twist and who cares....