Oftentimes, when movie-goers think of excellent spy/espionage films, they conjure up memories filled with almost six decades of James Bond films. These movies employed numerous stuntpeople in action sequences rarely equaled by most comparable film counterparts. Enter the new spy thriller “Black Bag”! Although not as action-packed, it is far “smarter” and intellectually intriguing than the now Amazon-owned, storied Bond franchise.

‘’Black Bag” is a high intensity espionage thriller artfully directed by Steven Soderberg and written by David Koepp.  Far from strangers to one another, these two recently worked together on a box office sleeper which was actually an outstanding ghost story.  (It was called “The Presence” and if you are a fan of that genre (e.g. spirits, ghosts), stream it before someone else gives the ending away!).  In any case, Koepp and Soderberg have crafted a suspenseful film about a British espionage agency which includes a tightly-knit, but incredibly dysfunctional team (spy ring) of agents.  Part of this team is a married couple (George & Kathryn) who are masterfully portrayed by Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett.  While this duo occupies the majority of screen time, the film would not be successful without the interplay of the core ensemble cast wherein we watch this dysfunctional “family” seethe, argue, spar, chastise, verbally abuse, and even physically harm each other.  Interestingly, a former James Bond, Pierce Brosnan, brilliantly plays the “boss” of this whacky family, but he struggles as he tries to bring order to all of the chaos.

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As the story goes, while the agents are intellectually superior, they are also emotionally flawed as they are unwittingly embroiled in a situation which “thousands of innocents will die” if things go sideways.  So, yes, it is a gross understatement to say that the stakes are very high!  Central to the plot is that George must find the mole inside the spy ring which, unfortunately for him, includes the investigation of his own wife as the possible “rat”.  As the movie unfolds, there are surprising twists and turns which keep the fan in a state of continual suspense.   It is such an entertaining watch that even the harshest critics will be hard-pressed to find major flaws or fault inherent in this movie.

As for the look and feel of the film, the story is set in some of the most expensive and glamorous cities in the world (e.g. London & Zurich).  The characters live in lavish flats/townhouses and clearly live in the “lap of luxury”.   As such, the film has a posh, polished, and sleek look.  (In this way, the Bond comparisons are apt and suitable, on this front).

My take is that, as this film’s distribution expands globally, its appeal will grow exponentially.   Therefore, while being labeled by some as an “arthouse/artisan film”, my belief is that it will far exceed early box office estimates.  Moreover, when the movie begins to stream, my strong hunch is that it will end up being one of those movies like, “What?  You have NEVER seen “Black Bag”?!?!”

Grade: A

About The Peetimes: As a hybrid between a spy thriller and “whodunit”, it was difficult to find Peetimes where a clue would be missed.

Nevertheless, two Peetimes were identified, with the first one being much better than the second.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Black Bag.

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Plot
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.