Today’s quick review: Spy Game. When CIA operative Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt) is caught while trying to rescue a prisoner from a Chinese prison, the CIA has only 24 hours to decide whether to claim him and risk the ensuing scandal or allow him to be executed. Nathan Muir (Robert Redford), a CIA veteran less than a day from retirement, joins the task force to share his experience working with Bishop, only to find that he is the sole voice arguing to save Bishop.
Spy Game is a spy thriller about a captured operative and the man working to free him. Spy Game has everything it needs to make good on this premise, including a sharp plot, well-drawn and well-acted characters, and an effective mystery regarding what Bishop was going in a Chinese prison. The movie charts Nathan and Tom’s relationship through a series of flashbacks that cover Tom’s recruitment, his training, and their eventual split.
Spy Game is a thriller with a lot to offer. Bishop’s looming execution causes time pressure and keeps the tension high. The flashbacks to his past with Muir develop both men’s characters and paint a nuanced moral picture of the spy business. There are a couple of traditional action scenes where the movie touches on Bishop’s missions, but the main thrills take place within the walls of the CIA as Muir tries every trick he can think of to save Bishop’s life.
Nathan Muir makes for an excellent protagonist. His friendly demeanor and innocuous behavior mask a canny mind and an iron will. More of a realist than Bishop, he has a history of making moral compromises in the name of the mission. But Nathan also has a loyal heart, and he goes to great lengths to save his former operative. Watching him navigate the inner workings of the CIA while maintaining plausible deniability is one of the great joys of the movie.
Watch Spy Game if you’re in the mood for a thriller that’s grounded, cerebral, and finely crafted. Its intricate plot, multifaceted characters, and heart all make it a strong pick for anyone interested in the genre. Skip it if you are looking for all-out action or prefer the more fanciful side of the spy genre. For a realistic thriller with much of the same craftiness, try Argo. For one that’s more rooted in politics, try Body of Lies.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a tense and clever plot and solid execution overall.