Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writer: David Koepp
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Marisa Abela
Synopsis: When intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband – also a legendary agent – faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country.
It’s safe to say that the year’s first undeniable hit has graced our screens thanks to sleekly versatile Steven Soderbergh. With Presence released earlier this year, a haunted house story told from the POV of a ghost, Soderbergh’s latest film Black Bag shows just how distinct his cinematic style is, and its ability to transcend genres with remarkable fluidity. Black Bag is oozing with its glamorously chic design, old school espionage feel, and cheeky humor. Soderbergh is at his best here delivering a romantic crowd-pleaser with his third team-up with writer David Koepp (Presence, Kimi).
Black Bag places audiences into the world of George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender), a highly efficient spy with thick-rimmed glasses who has a special disliking for liars. His mission is to find the source of a security leak and stop the death of thousands. Given only a week to finish the task and a short list of suspects that just so happens to include his alluring wife Kathryn St. Jean (Cate Blanchett), George must get creative to find the spy who said too much. Joining Kathryn on the list are familiar faces to George, Freddie Smalls (Tom Burke), who was just passed up for a sought-after promotion, and his young tech intelligence agent girlfriend Clarissa Dubose (Marisa Abela). Yet another couple rounding out the list of potential leakers is Colonel James Stokes (Regé-Jean Page), who nabbed the promotion from Smalls, and his psychiatrist date Dr. Zoe Vaughn (Naomie Harris), who knows a little too much about each member involved.
George decides to throw an impromptu dinner at his and Kathryn’s impressive home, giving less than 24 hours’ notice. As guests arrive, George implements his first of many trials to get to answers. A game of resolutions shows the weak points of each couple’s relationships, giving George a way in to get the answers he needs. The initial dinner sequence in Black Bag gives audiences a peek into the tumultuous personalities of those surrounding the table, how fragile the egos of these spies are, and how, at the end of the day, they are looking to cover for their own. As Black Bag goes on, and the days dwindle for George to figure out the leak of sensitive information of operation Severus, audiences are in the dark on who is topping his list of suspicions.
Black Bag brings together an all-star cast, thanks to the casting by Carmen Cuba; Fassbender and Blanchett are one of the main selling points of the film with their chemistry. Their ability to play married spies and make it look easy is highly impressive, keeping secrets from one another while maintaining a healthy relationship is a point of envy to their peers. Blanchett’s sophisticated and sly Kathryn pairs brilliantly with Fassbender’s often silent yet cool demeanor. They know each other like the backs of their hands; she can sense when he’s watching her, and he knows when she’s not being totally truthful. She’s more upfront with conflict, looking it in the face with a raised brow and sly smirk, while he’s reserved, watching those under the heat squirm. The film’s supporting cast, such as Abela and Burke, pair nicely with the apparently perfect married couple; their troubled romance sticks out sharply, giving the film many of its best comedic moments.
There’s not a candle, leather briefcase, or trash can that is out of place in Black Bag, as each item on screen is important to the film’s plot. If there’s an item out of place, George will find it, putting his attention to detail front and center, similar to production designer Phillip Messina. Mainly shown in George and Kathryn’s home, their sense of style is luxurious, from their plentiful lighting fixtures illuminating each room to their spacious kitchen used often by George; this couple has an established life together. Paired with Soderbergh’s cinematography, the stylistic choices of the film pop most with his careful framing, showing just how large their home is. Kathryn descending a staircase, getting ready for a secret trip, while George is tidying up in the kitchen is kept all in the same frame, showing separate lives lived under the same roof. The film’s use of natural lighting, especially candles during shared dinner scenes, gives a warmth where characters are being cold to one another.
In their third outing together, Soderbergh and Koepp have really nailed a witty, tense, and tight script. Black Bag has a runtime of 94 minutes, not leaving a lot of wiggle room for a genre film to have its slow-paced moments, and their script makes the film’s runtime fly by. Many of the best moments of the film are two characters in a room talking with one another; their snappy dialogue has you dissecting each word, looking for double meanings or importance later on in the film. Explored best through one-on-one sessions with Dr. Zoe Vaughn and Kathryn, their conversations teeter on an almost flirtatious hostility, both reading each other delicately, searching for answers within answers. Black Bag is Soderbergh and Koepp’s best work together to date, with the solid foundation of its script filled with twists and suspense.
Overall, Soderbergh has crafted a mature spy thriller that is equally funny and sexy. Packed with impressive lead performances from Fassbender and Blanchett, along with a supporting cast that amplifies their perfect marriage, Black Bag keeps audiences on their toes with each clue and twist revealed.
