Year Released: 2021
Directed by: Dominic Cooke
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Merab Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan
(PG-13, 112 min.)
Genre: Mystery and Suspense, Cold War Thriller

“Maybe we’re only two people. But this is how things change.” –Oleg Penkovsky

This Cold War spy thriller is based on a real life British courier, so it is grounded in authenticity, and it’s highlighted by a masterful performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, maybe his best performance yet.

Perhaps it is because he evolves from a rather shallow and ordinary businessman to an understated hero, finding his inner character and courage from the Russian who risks his life to save the world.

A true-life Cold War spy thriller about British businessman Greville Wynne, who must form an alliance with a Soviet spy to prevent a nuclear confrontation.

The Russian, Colonel Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze ), is not a traitor, but a true hero who fears for his country under the unstable leadership of Nikita Krushchev.

At first Cumberbatch’s Greville Wynne has doubts, but Oleg reassures him:

Oleg: Look, your work, it is only deception. Controlling your emotions.
Greville: It’s really not the same thing (as spying).
Oleg: If we’re caught, they would definitely execute me.
Greville: Well, I’m very sorry, but that’s your choice.
Oleg: That is how sure I am that you can do this. I’m betting my life on it.

Oleg even rationalizes a few things most might quibble with, but in the film he sells it, to us in the audience as well as to Greville himself.

It is for Greville’s wife’s own good that he keep this courier business from her. And Greville will have to learn to be a better liar, too.

“There are good lies. Sometime a lie is a gift, an act of love.”

And Greville shows some talent here, after returning from his first meeting with the CIA’s Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan) and MI6’s Dickie Franks (Angus Wright).

“How was your day?” his wife, Sheila (Jessie Buckley) asks. Greville’s reply also highlights another hidden and disarming talent, his self-deprecation:

“Oh, the usual. Some empty flatteries and blatant sucking up. No, really, you should have seen me. I sold a dozen lace by throwing the easiest putt in the history of putting. I feel filthy.”

And still another talent, the most important according to Oleg. Can he hold his alcohol?

“It is my one true gift,” Greville replies.

***

Early on, his CIA/MI6 handlers convince him there is no danger, again injecting some humor as they also deprecate Greville. The stiff upper lip Dickie Franks says it well:

Greville, let me put this delicately. You’re a middle-aged businessman who drinks a bit too much and isn’t exactly in top shape. During the war you were a private, never even saw combat. My point is, if this mission was the least bit dangerous, you really are the last man we’d send.

And that holds for a while, until the special rapport between the Russian colonel and the British businessman ushers in more dangerous liaisons.

And that is where the film really takes off. Each trip becomes more dangerous for both men. MI6 wants to pull him, but Greville insists on staying, even as it wreaks havoc with his wife, who notices his erratic mood shifts, especially after he returns from each Moscow trip.

Sure, we’re not talking 007 thrills here, but these lower keyed ones are actually more intense. Especially something with almost no movement at all – Greville, seated on a plane waiting to leave Moscow, learning that his flight has been delayed.

Other great understated set pieces are at the famous Bolshoi Ballet, an art form Greville confesses he has never seen. But it is not the ballet that we, the audience see, but the two men’s faces as they watch the stage. Oleg, seeing Krushchev in the upper balcony, nods tensely.

At the second ballet, with much more at stake, the two wait immobile in their seats for the next step in their very dangerous plans.

Yes, not quite as up there with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, but a very good hybrid between that classic 2011 film and Michael Caine’s wonderfully cheeky Brit in 1965’s The Ipcress File.

Certainly one of the top 10 Cold War Spy thrillers, reminding us that the current film world still can create some classics. Not to miss.

–Kathy Borich
🥁🥁🥁🥁

Trailer

Film-Loving Foodie

During their first meeting in a classy Moscow restaurant, Greville, in his role as an ordinary British businessman, quietly dines with Oleg Penkovsky, the Russian agent who will use him as his courier. Despite the sparkling crystal, the crisp white linen, and the silver trays, Oleg warns…

Everyone you meet, assume they are KGB. Waiter, hotel staff, my driver, everyone. Even if theyre not actual KGB officers, they still make reports to KGB. Every Russian is an eye of the state.

Perhaps that puts a damper on their appetite for the wonderful Russian black caviar (that very pricey Beluga version, I suspect) on their fine china, but it shouldn’t take away yours.

I’ve given you a very simple way to serve the caviar. And certainly you can use a less expensive caviar if you don’t want to shell out for the expensive Beluga version. I’ve also added a few more options for those who want to role up their flour-dusted sleeves.

Russian Caviar

It couldn’t be simpler:

Caviare should be served iced, with bliny (Russian Pancakes) and thin slices of rye bread. Use a dollop of sour cream.

See more variations at the link below.

I would opt for the rye bread, dark Russian rye, of course, but you may want to make those crepe-like Russian Pancakes (Bliny). Here are the directions for making the Russian Pancakes.

Tota World.com