Black Bag movie review, a fast-paced film with spies, lies, and broken ties

Traffic. Che. Out Of Sight. Cinematic standouts. Magic Mike. Haywire. The Oceans’ series. Less memorable movie offerings from the same auteur. Steven Soderbergh’s catalogue can appear distinctly split in terms of quality and reception. Thankfully with his latest, the Oscar-winning director ditches the Hollywood shit-shine to give a solid, witty spy thriller with a concise run time (1h 33m), formidable cast, sharp writing, and a fresh lens on a staple genre. 

Black Bag doesn’t beat around the bush, pulling you in with a stylish tracking shot of intelligence agent George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender, 12 Years A Slave) walking through British nightlife to receive inside word of a mole in his National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) outfit. A potential security threat may have been compromised, and, in the wrong hands, countless lives are at stake. Tasked to investigate, George is given a short list of five possible culprits. Amongst familiar colleagues, his wife, fellow agent Kathryn St. Jean (Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine), makes the tally, personally complicating the already trying matter. 

Less action, more acting

Meticulous, precise, and unabashedly anal, George possesses an acute ability to detect and unravel deception. Sharp sound design matched with close-up shots detail the details, reinforcing his temperament while underlining the required delicacy for the issue at hand. Barely leaning on action, fancy gadgets, or undercover missions, instead the film is carried by conversation and confrontation, scenes free of clutter and clamor. Recognizable collaborator David Koepp’s script displays some of the best dialogue in recent memory, and the small ensemble (Tom Burke, Rege-Jean Page, Naomie Harris, Marisa Abela, and Pierce Brosnan) wields it like a broadsword.

The dry humor is top tier, Fassbender being perfectly the dryest, contrasting Blanchett’s quick, snarky remarks, placing the devoted item’s relationship center stage. But as things unfold, there may be more in motion than a simple case of playing two sides of the fence, pressuring everyone’s comfortability. Spy flicks full of secrets and lies are nothing new, but here we get a crisp take on themes of betrayal and loyalty. It isn’t really about the tangled world of espionage. It’s about trust, understanding, faith and an enigmatic couple’s connection. The story is a test of what makes bonds and what breaks them. 

Trust and betrayal square off

While the critical situation rides back seat to the dynamics between the seemingly chummy associates, double and triple crosses peel off layers of confidence. We’re kept guessing if George and Kathryn’s dedicated companionship is an unintended point of vulnerability for each other, or an iron clad union keeping them a step ahead of any conspirators. Amidst the edgy, mounting suspense, a heavy dose of jargon is adopted, assumingly to make one feel like an insider of the intelligence realm, but the fast pace could have some scratching their heads. Even the title’s meaning receives its’ breakdown far into the picture.

The director’s prolific output may be a double edged sword. While it keeps his work in the minds of moviegoers, more chance is built for the unremarkable. Although not as fulfilling as some of his other releases, it’s an entertaining watch with good performances, a rewarding ending, and a reminder that Soderbergh is a filmmaker that can still deliver when he chooses to. 

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