Director: Dominic Cooke
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Jessie Buckley and Rachel Brosnahan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have ability to catch the attention of audiences like Benedict Cumberbatch. Ever since his rise to fame amid the 1990’s, Cumberbatch has become a bold icon. Whether it’s bold political leaders, strong sorcerers or action heroes, Cumberbatch has portrayed several bold characters. Arguably, Cumberbatch’s strength as an actor has often been his commitment to his craft. His is one of those rare actors which has always poured his heart and soul into every role. Even when he is not the main focus of a film, Cumberbatch has left a lasting impression. Through his ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, Cumberbatch has created a legacy which has been lasting. A British icon, Cumberbatch has become an iconic actor audiences cherish. By his abilities to play strong characters, Benedict has proven an actor audiences treasure. Throughout a career, Cumberbatch has made memorable movies which are absolutely worth taking about.
I’m a huge fan of Cumberbatch and adore all the movies he has crafted in his career. However, “The Courier” stands out as his most underrated movie. Released in 2020, Dominic Cooke’s movie offered a powerful portrait of British spies. Packed with strong production-design, stunning storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a captivating spies blockbuster. At the centre of it all is a terrific role by Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays a conflicted agent. Although “The Courier” is an engaging espionage thriller, ultimately it is not a flawless film. It suffers from pacing testing viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that would satisfy fans of spies thrillers.
Based on a true story, “The Courier” follows a Cold War spy embarking upon a journey. Benedict Cumberbatch embodies Greville Wynns, a dedicated British spy with strong devotion to his profession. Greville always excels at solving crimes that involve tension that’s painful. However, Greville’s life forever changes when he’s given a new mission that involves danger. Tasked with Cuban missile crisis, Greville wonders whether it’s possible to resolve a war that’s dangerous. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, he questions whether it’s truly possible to be an agent with rigour.
Dominic Cooke is a newcomer towards the stories of spies. Before he had made “The Courier”, Cooke had never directed a movie about spies before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a true story of a spy facing adversities but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Cooke captures a spy embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Evoking Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale”, Cooke effectively uses montages to capture the struggles faced by agents that face a downfall. For instance, the montages elevate the meeting scene. During this tense scene, Greville has a tense encounter with spies that cause disaster. Through stunning montages, Cooke creates a portrait of spies that’s compelling. Montages are not easy to use in most films. As Morten Tyldum’s “The Imitation Game” claimed, montages elevate historical dramas. Nevertheless, it works in this film. Using breathtaking visuals, Cooke captures hardships that espionage agents are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Courier” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best spies movies you will ever see. Evoking Brian De Palma’s “Mission: Impossible”, the filmmaker effectively uses cross-cutting to create spy action scenes that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the spy action scenes. During this heartfelt scene, Greville engages in a frightening fight with spies causing tensions. Using compelling cross-cutting, Cooke creates a portrait of spies that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Abel Korzeniowski’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that spies bear. Using bold provocation, Cooke captures spies going on a mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Courier” is a spy film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses flashbacks to capture tensions which spies are facing. Cooke’s finest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture the tensions that spies are facing. For instance, flashbacks elevate the spies trauma scene. During this heartfelt scene, Greville recalls traumatic memories of his childhood before he became a spy. Through bold flashbacks, Cooke created a portrait of spies audiences can relate to. Flashbacks are tricky to use in movies. As Joe Wright’s “Atonement” proved clearly, flashbacks often elevate period films about World War II. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using strong storytelling, Cooke captures tension that spies are often facing.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers one of his greatest career performances as Greville. Cumberbatch first earned appreciation for portaging legendary detectives. With “The Courier”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a spy facing adversities but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and depression of a spy embarking on dangerous missions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Benedict Cumberbatch, the supporting cast is amazing. Rachel Brosnahan is brilliant, capturing the dedication of a female spy that embarks upon a dangerous mission. Jessie Buckley is brilliant, bringing a sense of authority to a female spy embarking on a treacherous journey. Lastly, Angus Wright is memorable. As a strong British spy, he is unforgettable.
Although “The Courier” is a riveting period piece, it isn’t a flawless film. Cooke’s choice to integrate subplots about political figures into the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty decision, scenes focusing on political figures aren’t as entertaining as Greville’s espionage journey. As Christopher McQuarrie’s “Mission: Impossible – the Final Reckoning” suggested, subplots capturing political figures elevate spies blockbusters. Therefore, “The Courier” can’t captures the hardships which spies face that audiences adore.
Nevertheless, there’s no doubt that fans of Benedict Cumberbatch would enjoy “The Courier” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular spies blockbuster, it honours a legendary actor.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about spies that face obstacles which terrorize, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost ability to surprise manufacturing memorable films which audiences prize.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 