Movie: The Spy Who Dumped Me
Cast: Mila Kunis, Kate McKinnon, Justin Theroux, Sam Hughen, Hasan Minaj, Ivanna Sakhno, and Gillian Anderson
Director: Susanna Fogel
Genre: Action comedy
Duration: 1hr 57min
Story:
Audrey (Mila Kunis) is as average a girl as they come. Morgan (Kate McKinnon) is her eccentric best friend who throws her epic birthday parties. Audrey's boyfriend Drew (Justin Theroux) breaks up with her a week before her birthday. In a rage, the friends decide to burn the things Drew left at Audrey's place. But in strange yet action-packed turn of events, they come to know that le beau is a CIA agent. Drew gets killed in front of Audrey. But not before telling her about his last mission. To do anything to fulfil a dead boyfriend's wishes (and to get away from his killers) the two women decide to complete his mission.
Audrey and Morgan up end on the other side of the pond and embark on an espionage mission that takes them Europe trotting. Tailing them, besides the killers, are CIA agent Duffer (Hasan Minaj) and MI6's Sebastian Henshaw (Sam Hughen) who need these girls to surrender in order to stop a major terrorist event from happening. The road trip through Eastern Europe gets bumpy, crazy, and sometimes deeply emotional.
Review:
The Spy Who Dumped Me spoofs the title of James Bond movie with confidence, but is very confused about walking the fine line of action comedy. Its smoothly executed action scenes remind you of Jason Bourne movies. One particular shootout in Vienna gets closer to Kingsmen's church scene. But the action fails to seamlessly entwine with the comedy. The film sets the stage for an action sequence, then gives room for some comedy, before moving on to another fight scene. In the process, it messes with the pace of the story and kills the impact of a punchline. Most of the film's scenes work best in isolation.
Mila Kunis is honest in her comedy talent. Funny, yet a stable anchor to Kate McKinnon's theatrics. Her Audrey is average because she doesn't believe she can be more. That uncertainty peaks from time to time and Kunis uses those big eyes to show emotions. Keeping a straight face while delivering hilarious lines and sharing the screen with McKinnon is going above and beyond the job description.
McKinnon, on the other hand, is the best thing about this movie. She kicks away the box of Saturday Night Live and just sinks her teeth into being Morgan Freeman (that is her character's name!). She is the queen of dry humour, physical comedy, and the best eccentric best friend of our generation. Move over Judy Greer and Kathryn Hahn.
You cannot help but admire McKinnon's post #MeToo Morgan who unabashedly gives compliments to women, lifts their spirits, adores the MI6 boss for not sacrificing her femininity (this could very well be McKinnon fangirling over Anderson. Who wouldn't?)
But you also can't help and be annoyed at the film's unnecessary flashbacks and sloppy cuts between Cirque De Sole-style fights and a romantic conversation. Pick one style. Make better use of that A rating!
From rest of the lot, Gillian Anderson is the object of McKinnon's admiration. Ivanna Sakhno plays a psycho and Hasan Minaj is the punching bag. Sam Hughen is gobsmackingly handsome, his Sebastian is earnest, he avoids British spy tropes but can be a good contender to play the next James Bond But his chemistry with Mila Kunis was a bit off.
This movie is feminist. It will wear pussycat beanies, will go to marches for equal pay, call out a male colleague for interrupting her during meetings, and fully support 'sistahs before mistahs.' I just wish it was edited better.
Verdict:
It's a glimpse into a world where Kate McKinnon is let out of her cage. Watch it for her and to understand how to compliment women.
Critic's Rating: 2.5/5
from Daily News & Analysis https://ift.tt/2Mm4mSw
No comments:
Post a Comment