mikegibb-60418

Netflix isn't doing well and it isn't surprsing when they produce tripe like this, a movie equivalent of a second rate soap opera. Hackneyed storyline, risible script, hammy acting and a score that wouldn't be out of place in a lift. It sounded promising from the synopsis but after 60 minutes, 60 cringeworthy minutes, I eventually surrendered and ended up watching The Talented Mr Ripley for about the sixth time. All at Netflix, check out that film and it will give you an idea of what class movie making looks like. And next time you decide to make another of your ever more depressing movies try using someone like Damon or Law or at lease someone who can claim to be an actor not this sorry bunch.

What a little gem of a movie. A true story told with such warmth and such feeling with Paul Walter Hauser totally outstanding in the title role. He is also helped by great performances from Kathy Bates and Sam Rockwell and all are fortunate to be blessed with a superb script and Eastwood's compassionate direction that perfectly captures the plight of the little man caught like a rabbit in the headlights. A simple story that results in a memorable and moving film.

I don't necessarily want my spy films to be full of James Bond type car chases and fights but something more than this drab offering would have been nice. Half of its almost two hour running time is staged in a restaurant watching the two main characters chat and stare wistfully at each other. Despite the fact that the storyline is pretty one dimensional, with the twist being obvious halfway through, a decent director could have done something to brighten up proceedings and to avoid watchers falling asleep. Hugely disappointing.