Page 40 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 147

40 Issue #147 April 2025 www.sportsenergynews.com

In Reel Time

An Attaché Case

By Nicholai Adams

eorge Woodhouse: “I don’t like
Gliars.”

In 2025, dare I say that it’s nice to
be highlighting a film made for mature
audiences. Avoiding the pratfalls
of sequels, remakes, comic book
movies, and overly costly bombast,
Black Bag, written by David Koepp
(Mission: Impossible) and directed
by Steven Soderbergh (Traffic), is
most easily described as an old school
spycraft feature.
Opening with an extended tracking
shot of spy George Woodhouse
(Michael Fassbender) making his
way through a happening nightclub Photo Submitted
in London, his contact soon informs
him that there is a rat leaking some
sort of tech software named Severus
from within the agency. If there is one many an unanswered question. things, as these spies only date other unreadable mask? Throw in our
thing Woodhouse despises, it’s a liar, Though not invited to the party, it spies, it creates an almost incestuous current Moneypenny (Harris) from
so he invites all of the suspects to a is worth noting that the entire group entanglement, where this person likes the
dinner party to try to get to the bottom is under the puppet strings of boss that person, or that person might be Daniel Craig era; the oft rumoured
of it. Arthur Stieglitz (Pierce Brosnan). cheating with this person. . . case in possible next James Bond in the
point Dr. Vaughan, whose literal job
Of course, his crafty wife Kathryn With a limited amount of time is to analyze the dark inner workings suave Regé-Jean Page; the former
St. Jean (Cate Blanchett) will be due to the dangers involving the of each and every possible suspect – 007 himself in Pierce Brosnan; tv’s
there. . . their seemingly perfect still unexplained Severus tech, meaning she knows things about all formidable private detective C.B.
relationship the envy of the entire Woodhouse is feeling the pressure, of them that no one else knows. Strike in Tom Burke; and a wholly
office. Two other couples will also be as the clues could lead to any one of Further enhanced by stellar game Abela, and you’ve got more
invited: new it thing agent Col. James them, including both he and his wife. casting, this is a who’s who of spy than any spy lover could ask for.
Stokes (Regé-Jean Page) and his A clever conundrum of a script, actors. Fassbender is somewhat Written for viewers to cling on
agency psychiatrist girlfriend Dr. Zoe Koepp develops a simple question reminiscent of a dark haired version every word, watch for any clue in body
Vaughan (Naomie Harris), as well – ‘who is the liar?’, and makes of his Peter O’Toole inspired role language – both audio and visuals
as known womanizer and alcoholic it extremely difficult to answer. as David in Prometheus and Walter built to keep us guessing, Black Bag
Freddie Smalls (Tom Burke) with his . . as every single character is an in Alien: Covenant – inquisitive yet is supremely sleek, slickly stylish,
new gal pal Clarissa Dubose (Marisa unreliable hero, as they are all guarded in an almost inhuman way, and satisfyingly suspense-filled. . . an
Abela) – who is in charge of satellite spies perfectly trained to lie. When he is veritably unreadable while ageless experience that could fit into
imagery at the headquarters. Without met with a controversial question, computing behind those stoic eyes. any generation – be in the Cold War
giving anything away, the tension any one of them can simply claim Meanwhile, Blanchett brings forth or within the complexities of today.
straddles the edge of a knife. Providing ‘black bag’, which is basically spy another almost femme fatale inspired So, cash in on this rarity of a new
numerous clues, but no real answers, talk for classified intel that cannot role like in Nightmare Alley, coolly movie, it’s crafted for an entertaining
the evening leaves Woodhouse with be divulged. Further complicating alluring, what lies behind her glossily entanglement.