I was interested in Black Bag as soon as I saw the cast and who was directing the film. With Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender in the starring roles, I knew the acting would be excellent. I also thought the premise sounded interesting. From the very moment I saw the film, I knew I was correct. Black Bag is sexy and smart, it has brilliant performances, the writing is incredible, and the chemistry between Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender is off the charts. 

Black Bag is a spy thriller film directed by Stephen Soderbergh and written by David Koepp. In the film, intelligence officer George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) learns that along with four other agents, his wife Kathryn St. Jean (Cate Blanchett) is suspected of committing treason. George, who prizes the truth over everything, must investigate and learn which of the five is the traitor. He invites the other four to dinner, Clarissa Dubose (Marisa Abela), Freddie Smalls (Tom Burke), James Stokes (Regé-Jean Page), and Dr. Zoe Vaughn (Naomie Harris). As the heat turns up in this thriller, the complications and relationships between the other four become critical as George faces the ultimate test, faithfulness to his marriage or loyalty to his country. The film also stars Pierce Brosnan as the head of the agency Arthur Steiglitz, Gustaf Skarsgård as agent Meachum and Kae Alexander as Anna Ko. 

One of the elements that captivated me was how smart the story is. From the start, when we meet George, the narrative sets up the dilemma but the writing gives us tiny touches of each character’s personalities, the dynamics between them and the various conflicts. George and Kathryn are written as passionately in love and that shows in every scene together. The film doesn’t talk down the audience. As you watch the film, you must put together the pieces of the puzzle of which character is the traitor. One of the scenes I like the best is a polygraph done with each one of the suspects. Not only does it give hints of the truth but it is a fascinating study in character dynamics. Another scene, at the beginning, the dinner party, illustrates how much conflict there is between the six individuals. The movie is riveting as it parses out the information around the event George is investigating. 

The pacing is perfect. The tension between George and Kathryn is taut but also allows both actors to shine. The dialogue is witty and sharp, sometimes almost enough to be biting but that just keeps you absorbed in the story. Each character and element gets a moment. We see each of the characters showing off their skills, James presenting information, Clarissa utilizing her skills with a satellite, Zoe analyzing Kathryn and James, even Freddie as he handles information from Clarissa. George and Kathryn as the stars excel but do so with panache and style.

There are no bad performances in the movie. Cate Blanchett is confident and cunning as Kathryn. Michael Fassbender is rigorous and intelligent as George. Together, they create a sizzling sexy vibe onscreen with chemistry that is off the charts. The tension between them only heightens that dynamic. Their interactions with the other performers are equally sharp and intelligent. Regé-Jean Page is sharp as James while Naomie Harris is thoughtful as Zoe. Marisa Abela is fiery and manipulative as Clarissa and Tom Burke is world weary and cynical as Freddie. Pierce Brosnan is dynamite as the head of the organization. Even in small roles, Gustaf Skarsgård as agent Meachum and Kae Alexander as Anna Ko are excellent as well.

This film hits all the right notes for spy aficionados. Not only is it smartly written and directed but it’s unpredictable as well. The story is riveting, the characters compelling and the charisma between Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender is enough to make your mouth dry while watching. The dynamics and conflicts between George and the other characters is absolutely absorbing. The final resolution is breathtaking. If you love spy films or thrillers, this is one of the best that I’ve seen in a few years. It is sexy and smart, with all the right moves with an ending that is surprising. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 movie tickets

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