The Courier is a spy thriller movie directed by Dominic Cooke and is written by Tom O'Connor. It is based on real events which recount the narrative of a British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) who is approached by an MI6 and CIA spies who advise him to go about as a messenger for their own agent in Soviet, a high-positioning GRU official, Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze). After certain waverings and "why me", Wynne consents to do the work. He's picked because he's an ordinary regular citizen and a sales rep and Russians will consider him simply not more than a voracious finance manager.
Dickie Franks (Angus Wright) and CIA specialist Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan) tells him to meet Penkovsky and bring any intel, big or small, which will help them with halting the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Courier is, as said is based on a true event yet, to make a film there are some cliched tropes utilized in the film, as "do we know who's good for this work?". A prologue to our hero done to death in numerous actions and spy thrillers. It consummately recreates the time of the 60s, from vehicles to buildings to garments and hairdos, everything is first class.
Despite running up to somewhat more than 100 minutes, The Courier stays on its principal track and doesn't wander and that is the huge plus point. Other than the fundamental track of being a covert agent thriller, it neglects to dazzles in the emotional division, like the relationship of Greville and his wife Sheila (Jessie Buckley) who feels that his husband is going to Soviet as he may be having an affair with a Russian woman. Greville is exercising more these days which additionally turns into doubt for Sheila as they two are having great fun (you know what I mean) than early days - that is likewise a major worry for Sheila.
Benedict Cumberbatch is the heart and soul of the film. His unpretentious and fine performance is a joy to see. If I say that this is his career-best performance, it would not be wrong to say. He shed 21 pounds for this film and his transformation is extraordinary and shocking. The hollow cheeks are sufficient to shake you and give authenticity to the film. Merab Ninidze as Colonel Oleg Penkovsky also gave a winning performance, the feeling of uncertainty and dread he brings to his face is commendable.
Rachel Brosnahan falls flat this time as CIA official Emily as she didn't have anything fundamental to do and understanding what she could do if she is given any lead role, positively, this one didn't do justice to her caliber. Jessie Buckley is consistently an enjoyment to see and is amazing and as Sheila Wynne, she leaves her mark even with a little role. The cinematography by Sean Bobbitt is beautiful. He's known for his work in many stunning movies and he doesn't flop here as well. Abel Korzeniowski's music is exactly what was required.
The Courier by Dominic Cooke is a well-made, simple, and straightforward espionage thriller that depicts the genuine story of a common man who saved the world from a nuclear war with simply the conviction that was required. Benedict Cumberbatch is astounding in his role as usual and the film conveys an adequate measure of rushes and anticipation to keep you invested in the film. The film looks huge and stunning, the time of the 60s is flawlessly revived in the film and this all cooperates to make this film a decent spy thriller.
Rating:- 3/5
Now on Blu-ray.
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