City of Spies

I greatly enjoyed watching this film. It makes no secret of the fact that it is designed to be enjoyed in a light-hearted manner. It has lots of humour, a compelling story line, and a highly convincing cast. It's perhaps a matter of taste, but I also really liked the catchy music - it somehow had a cheerful and feel-good vibe to it, and it ended up staying in my mind like good cigar smoke long after I had finished watching the film. That said, the film has a twist that I found difficult to swallow. It's almost like you've been tricked by the director - it's somewhat out of place and rather unexpected. But that, of course, is probably the point. All in all, though, it's a great and fun film to watch, and above all a hugely enjoyable distraction from the current times, which have been serious enough as they are.

There is more going on in this film than at first glance. It has the potential to be a cult classic and has layers which reveal themselves upon careful viewing.

I came across this director years ago when I saw his short, 11 Missed Calls, which had a similar vibe and a powerful twist. That film stayed with me a long time and I kept thinking about the story - three people trapped in an elevator - strange performances and dialogue - quotes from the Koran and dialogue like "a second resolution won't help". Eventually I worked it out; it was a story about diplomacy during the build-up to the Iraq war in 2003. That realization blew me away!

The same is true of City of Spies. It seems out of place and time. Who are these people. Why do they behave the way they do? There are subtle clues that this is not a conventional story about spies. You are led down the garden path and then the twist takes you down a rabbit hole. Occasionally you'll get a glimpse that something bigger is going on. There is a single shot close to the end where the main character talks about who they are working for, but the camera work is telling the audience that it's all a lie. I'm certain the sequel is going to turn everything on its head, and I am looking forward to seeing it.

This film is not for everyone, but it's definitely worth watching. You may laugh, cry or even get angry. Don't expect a traditional Hollywood spy thriller. Watch closely for the underlying meaning. It's worth the effort.

Kindra, the enigmatic character at the centre of the story, captivates the audience with her mysterious demeanour and unwavering dedication to her brother. It's intriguing to ponder what thoughts and motivations lie hidden within her mind as she navigates the treacherous world of espionage.

As the plot unfolds in the backdrop of Vienna, a city infused with the legacy of Cold War spy tales, the stage is set for an entertaining spy flick. The presence of prominent international agencies further enhances the allure of this location, making it the ideal setting for a thrilling espionage narrative. The rich history and palpable atmosphere of the city contribute to the film's immersive experience, immersing viewers in a world brimming with intrigue and secrets.

The film captured my attention from the opening scene until the final credits rolled. Its distinctive blend of wit and quirkiness added a delightful flavour that helped to keep me engrossed. Moreover, the artful cinematography elevated the story, infusing it with an additional layer of suspense and fascination.

The plot was an intricately woven tapestry of unexpected twists and turns. It's a storyline rife with mystery, skillfully planting seeds of doubt and curiosity in the minds of the audience. With every revelation, the plot deepened, providing glimpses into a hidden world where nothing is as it initially seems.

The film's conclusion left me hungry for more. The lingering sense of intrigue left me eagerly wanting a continuation of the story. The tantalizing glimpse into a larger, complex web of espionage hinted at the potential for future installments that would explore the depths of this thrilling universe.

In summary, this spy thriller was an enjoyable experience that skillfully balanced an engaging plot, intriguing characters, and a setting teeming with history, ultimately leaving me craving for more of its alluring world.

There are a lot of quirky elements to this film, some of which perhaps require a second viewing to start to notice. There is a lot of subtle humour to some of the characters which can easily be missed. The end is quite a shock and overall I expect this film will develop something of a cult audience over time. A lot of the themes in the film explore the idea of the intelligence community as a bunch of self serving charlatans. The story feels like it is not fully complete at the end. I suspect there will be plans to make a follow up as the main characters clearly need more closure. This probably not everyone's cup of tea but it has plenty of moments.

Full disclosure, I was involved with the music of the film. The director has told me there have been a few trolls posting bad reviews, but when you read them it's clear they haven't seen the film all the way through. So I thought I would share my thoughts.

This is a rather unusual film, but that is really the point of it. I don't want to give anything away, but I know what the over arching story is about and it involves Fake News and conspiracy theories in the world of diplomacy and international politics.

This first part of the film is just the set up and you have to watch till the end AND you have to concentrate to see that there is something very amiss in this world of espionage.

It took a massive amount of effort over a long period of time and even if you don't like it, you have to admire the determination of the whole team, and also the quality of what has been produced.

This isn't Bond, nor Bourne, nor The Third Man - although it there are elements of all of these there. The director describes it as Fargo meets The Americans ... also fitting comparisons, but at the end of the day, I think it is a unique film and worth a watch.