Spy Story

There's a reason for "Spy Story" being a cinematic obscurity - it is not a good film by any stretch of the imagination! In all honesty, I wasn't expecting a minor masterpiece and the final results prove it. "Spy Story" is an adaptation of a novel by Len Deighton - the author behind "The IPCRESS File." He created another nameless protagonist, eventually becoming Patrick Armstrong. It's that name which is used for the screenplay. The cast includes Philip Latham, Michael Gwynn, Don Fellows and Derren Nesbitt. The leading man is totally unknown - Michael Petrovich. Judging by his attempts at acting, it's fortunate the supporting cast is of a high calibre. As for the rest, the plot makes no damn sense and the storytelling angle is woefully lacking. As a lifelong film buff if a film doesn't gain my interest within the first 10 minutes, chances are it never shall. "Spy Story" lacks any kind of continuity and the plot details are vague. British Intelligence agent Armstrong is supposedly used as a political pawn, by becoming framed by the KGB. But the screenplay hardly makes any mention of it. I was hoping Derren Nesbitt would have had more screen-time. Alas, no. He has one brief scene with a few lines of dialogue, then an even briefer one at the end with no dialogue! To top it all off, the conclusion is rather downbeat and feels pointless. I haven't read or seen any comments from Len Deighton, regarding this adaptation. I'll wager he isn't too fussed over it!