A well-constructed spy-thriller should keep you guessing until the end. Our Kind of Traitor certainly does that, though it is not going to be appreciated by viewers who like their thrillers with lots of car chases and shooting.
This does not mean that this film doesn’t contain that. It does, but the script, based on the novel by John le Carré, takes precedence over the action and the overriding theme of the film is honour between friends and the search for justice.
While on holiday in Marrakech, an English couple, Perry (Ewan McGregor) and Gail (Naomie Harris), befriend a bombastic and charismatic Russian, Dima (Stellan Skarsgård), who is a money launderer for the Russian mafia. When Dima asks for their help to deliver secret information to the British Secret Services, Perry and Gail get caught in a world of espionage and dirty politics that they never expected.
They decide to help Dima and embark on a dangerous journey through Paris and Bern to a safe house in the French Alps, then to the City of London and an alliance with the British Government via a ruthless and determined MI6 agent (Damian Lewis).
The agent helps Dima and his family to try to escape to England to expose British politicians who are endeavouring to help the Russians establish a new Bank that can channel British funds back to Russia.
Ewin McGregor’s character (Perry) is highly complex – a husband whose marriage is failing but reconnects and strengthens when he and his wife decide to help Dima and his family. McGregor has cleverly chosen vastly different roles in his career and this is no exception. He begins the film a lost soul and ends as a strong individual.
Skarsgård is driven as Dima but he also provides many of the film’s laughs with his colourful language. Be prepared to see more of Skarsgård then you have ever seen before!
Damian Lewis’ quietly menacing M16 agent is torn between obeying his superiors and doing what he knows is right.
The cinematography for this film deserves a special mention. The scenery is vast, impressive and beautifully woven into the film.
Overall, an intriguing film that will keep you wondering how it will resolve until the last 5 minutes. However, it may not appeal to die-hard spy thriller fans.
Reviewed by Barry Hill
Twitter: @kinesguy
Rating out of 10: 8
Our Kind of Traitor is released in cinemas from today.
- Our Kind of Traitor official website
- Read our interview with Our Kind of Traitor film director Susanna White