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The Courier
(Lionsgate Films)
By Lucas Allen
Only several more months until the next James Bond film finally comes out, so audiences will have to settle for a different kind of spy film for this spring. “The Courier” is inspired by a true story of espionage and intrigue from behind enemy lines that changed the course of history. You can call this one as either a retro throwback to the genre or simply a period thriller with some modern sensibilities.
During the early 1960s at the height of the Cold War, tensions between America and Russia are reaching a boiling point, with both sides threatening to use their nuclear weapons. In Moscow, colonel Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) writes a letter to the U.S. warning of his leader Khrushchev’s desire the escalate the tension at any cost. Later on, CIA officer Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan) brings the letter to the attention of MI6 in London, where trade officer Dickie Franks (Angus Wright) decides to assign an ordinary outsider for an undercover mission. He soon brings in Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch), who’s a traveling businessman and a loving husband to his wife, Shelia (Jesse Buckley).
At first, Wynne uses his skills to get on the Russians’ good side by showing them England’s trading business. But then he finds out he’ll be working with Penkovsky in secret to trade Soviet secrets in exchange for defection for him and his family. Despite fear of getting caught, Wynne remains professional helping his partner bring secret plans back to both MI6 and CIA, while helping to avert an ongoing crisis in Cuba. But when the KGB catches on to their ploy, it puts both of the men’s lives at risk.
This is a very simple spy story written well, with sophistication, because of the nature of its time setting. It doesn’t go much for action, which may disappoint those who are used to the modern standards of the genre. But there is some intense drama and suspense that help elevate the story especially during the second half when things start to go wrong. It may not be as memorable as the more recent “Bridge of Spies,” but it’s still interesting and worth watching.
One thing worth noting is the cinematography, which seems to be over-playing the grayscale in many scenes. While the outside scenes in London and Moscow are certainly meant to have a gloomy mood, the colors remain lifeless and not pretty to look at. The last act turns up the grayscale to the point where some moments are shot in near darkness that’s almost unbearable.
Another weird thing about this film is the choice of music for some scenes. The score sometimes goes in an odd direction with a very chirpy and almost giddy sound that feels more fitting in a Monty Python comedy. Then there’s one part, which decides to play a Chubby Checker song that may provoke some looks of wide-eye surprise. But these issues are simply minor nitpicking that don’t harm the overall film.
English-born Cumberbatch gets to use his natural voice plus his charm and wit in a wonderfully layered as the real-life Greville Wynne. Ninidze is also very good as a Russian colonel with a conscience plus his scenes with Cumberbatch bring an air of likability to their characters. Brosnahan and Buckley each find a deep level of emotion to their roles with courage and determination.
Fans of dramatic true stories will certainly give “The Courier” a chance and be left enjoying the experience. It certainly has the British touch, while it reflects on the dark political climate of its day. For those hoping for more action, wait for No Time to Die to come out later this year.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for violence, partial nudity, brief strong language, and smoking throughout)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.25 Stars (Out of Four)
