Spy Game

[Morpheus2000]

In Spy Game Nathan Muir (Robert Redford) is on his last day in CIA Headquarters as he's about to retire when one of his operatives that he trained Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt) is caught spying in China. Tom is going to be executed within 24 hours so Nathan assists his superiors with research.

Over the course of the research Nathan gives the background of Tom and viewer is presented with a flashback account, which is very tediously done. The film itself is very boring as Nathan tries to give little information as possible while trying to rescue Tom from the clutches of the Chinese. The story itself is very unconvincing as there's no point in requesting any research from Nathan since the CIA are not prepared to do anything in order to save Tom as he's now a rogue agent.

Performances all around are very good particularly from Redford and Pitt but this is not enough the save film. Even though the flashback scenes are the more interesting, Catherine McCormack (Braveheart) is rather under used as Pitt's romantic interest. Overall this film is complete rubbish and probably Tony Scott's worst film of his career. Avoid being bored out of your mind and give this film a miss.

[Cirrus888]

Yeah I agree a convoluted plotline that is very far fetched although well paced its still boring which a political drama must do everything possible to avoid ... this film doesn't.

[8-]]

One thing that I did like about this film is that it portrays most of the CIA missions as failures.

They all seem to go wrong.

Quite realistic in that respect. :)

[Jazzatola]

I thought it was hugely enjoyable! One of the best mainstream films of 2001.

I thought Redford was great and was suitably entertained by the far fetched plot. My only compaint was a rushed ending.

[GazaH]

Quite amazing how different people view the same film, I thought it was quite entertaining with good performances from Pitt and Redford....
Though it was, as said above far fetched, it was far more entertaining than quite a lot of the other drivel that was about or coming out when it came out e.g. Behind enemy lines, Black hawk down, 51st state which was incidentally was absolutely awful.....

[Gareth Flynn]

Put me down as another one who found 'Spy Game' a very enjoyable way to spend two hours. It reminded me of a cross between 'Sneakers' and 'Clear And Present Danger' with a little bit of John Le Carré thrown in. Definitely picking this up when it hits DVD soon.

[rgfinch]

I thought it was decent too although the over-flashy direction definitely marred it for me.

[GazaH]

Agree with you on the over flashy direction.....typical of a Scott