Rogue Agent

Going off the title, which of course is never wise, I heard agent and expected this to be some sort of action thriller. However, this was actually an interesting psychological thriller!! It was dull in parts but that is likely because I was expecting to be building up to cheap thrills and action. Instead, this was a very interesting mix of psychological profiles, how the human mind works, emotional manipulation and even a mirror on society in terms working life, student life, student debt and how the trajectory of our lives can impact our ultimate dreams and ambitions, and make us settle. This film is far from perfect and there are some parts I found unrealistic, so don't expect a classic, but it is an interesting watch.

I already have watched the documentary which was a real eye opener. Admittedly the film covers how Robert Freegard was tracked down one of his victims. The acting by Gemma was a bit wooden and I know she's better than this performance. The film lacked atmosphere so I am assuming it didn't have a big budget.

The ending was completely different from the real life ending which took place in an airport.

Overall it could have been a lot better with a bigger budget.

Most of the reviews are very negative about this film . Don't see why I was hooked from the first , the fact this is based on truth and after seeing it I can faintly remember it .

The story here is far worse than anyone could ever imagine and that the conman could be so unscrupulous.

I felt the story kept you watching from the first minute hoping for a good end . I felt it was well put together and did exactly what we hoped .

Well worth the watch.

The story is fascinating, and if interested one should watch" "Puppet Master" on Netflix for a "truer" account from (some of) the horses mouths. Of course the 2 main characters have to be played by really good looking actors, which sets it apart from reality. The character Alice is a blend of several women and the ending is a fiction. At least "Puppet Master" gives you insight into the post prison continuation of the sociopath's trail of deception and cruelty.

Yet it is entertaining enough, but it's failing is in not getting close to the minds of the victims. How do people get so bamboozled? Oh wait: Trump!

Interesting story about conman Robert Freegard, well played by James Norton.

Handsome and amiable, Freegard is able to convince people he is a secret agent for MI6, isolate them, take their money, and take off.

A slow-moving but disturbing psychological study, realizing this is a true story, Freegard's hold over these people is horrifying and thought-provoking. How the character of Rose lived in the street basically waiting to get into a new spy program - watching it was shattering.

All the performances were good if underplayed. At the time of the film, Freegard had been released from prison, his life sentence amended, and was still swindling people. He has since been caught again.

My biggest complaint is not with the film but the law - if indeed the definition of kidnapping includes persuasion using fraud to leave one's family, how was this overturned later?

Norton is perfect and evil, about as far from Grantchester here as you can get. Always with a fake smile.