GamesRadar+ Verdict
Ravishing without being riveting, this is polished period entertainment in the traditional matinee sense. But Casablanca it ain’t.
Why you can trust GamesRadar+
Two hot spies meet in an exotic locale for a job, trade cocky banter and end up having hot sex… if it sounds similar to one of Brad Pitt’s previous roles, it initially pretty much is. Like a WW2 Mr & Mrs Smith, Robert Zemeckis’ film trades on the beauty and chemistry of its leads (considerable in both cases) before switching into a sub-le Carre mole drama.
That much is obvious from the it’s-all-in-there trailer, as Canadian airman-spy Max (Pitt) reevaluates his entire existence when his French Resistance wife Marianne (Cotillard), is accused of being a Nazi spy. Could the woman he loves, who’s literally pushed his baby out amid a London air-raid, be working a deep deep cover?
The screenplay by Steven Knight (Eastern Promises, Locke, Peaky Blinders) competently explores some chewy themes: the complexities of matrimonial and state loyalties; the breaking point of love when tested.
All of which is perfectly diverting when it’s Pitt and Cotillard turning on the charm. Beautifully shot, immaculately costumed and seemingly CG-ed to their most perfect selves, their luminosity and star power lift potentially cheap moments (lustful looks in mirrors, English Patient-style car sex, improbable personal misuse of war-effort equipment) to classy, if glassy, levels.
Jane Crowther is a contributing editor to Total Film magazine, having formerly been the longtime Editor, as well as serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the Film Group here at Future Plc, which covers Total Film, SFX, and numerous TV and women's interest brands. Jane is also the vice-chair of The Critics' Circle and a BAFTA member. You'll find Jane on GamesRadar+ exploring the biggest movies in the world and living up to her reputation as one of the most authoritative voices on film in the industry.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 debuts to 'Mixed' reactions on Steam as players complain about wonky performance, crashes, and the CoD launcher
As Cities: Skylines 2 woes continue, Paradox Interactive returns to the first city builder with new paid DLC 18 months after its 'final' update
Shadow the Hedgehog is peak Sonic, he's always been peak Sonic, and after 23 years I can't bury the truth any longer