Black Bag * * * ½

Cate and Michael kiss and DON'T tell

This film really got me thinking: not so much about the ethics or the words spoken as to, Who? What? Where? When? Why?

There are a lot of twists and red herrings in this espionage story.  Interestingly, it's not so much about British spies dealing with the "enemy" as with themselves. Someone has been leaking information. 

George the boss, narrows it down to five people including his wife. He invites them round to dinner to get to the bottom of the matter with subtle interrogation and later a proposal that they play a "truth or dare" style dinner party game with a twist.  It all becomes a bit Agatha Christie for a while. The anger at the dinner party escalates to physical assault, so they call it a night.

The story then moves to their work environment and the secure building they work in.  We are now introduced to an even bigger boss who seems to be hiding a few cards up his sleeve.  And George's wife is acting a bit mysterious too when she skips off to Switzerland.  

Even though they are married and work together they all have to respect the "need to know" rules.  Yet there is constant talk of someone sleeping with someone.  Infidelity is rife with this lot.  Except for George and his wife; and in a way the story draws a comparison between loyalty to ones job and country and loyalty to your partner.  

What is actually going on is slowly revealed but it can be quite confusing at times. The whole plot is spelt out in the Wikipedia entry of the film and to be honest I reckon you might enjoy the film better if you read it first. I guess it depends what you value you most - lucidity or intrigue.

It's directed by the ever busy Steven Soderberg and has an all star cast including Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchet, Tom Burke, Pierce Brosnan and a couple of up and comings.