Put aside
the fact that Nathan Muir (Redford) looks exactly the same in Vietnam in 1972
as he does at Langley in 1992 and ditto for Tom Bishop (Pitt); put aside the
fact that, if you were a fan in his heart-throb days, Redford now looks more
like Bronson; and put aside the fact that Hollywood has some weird ideas on
sound effects for helicopter engines; or the assumption that you can conduct
a conversation in a helicopter without a headset, and you are well on your way
to a very entertaining two hours of good, old-fashioned espionage.
Robert
Redford is an old pro on the comeback trail while Brad Pitt is definitely on
the A List, with probably a similar fan base as Redford enjoyed at about the
same point in his career.
The two
together are fabulous.
Spy Game
follows the exploits of two CIA field operatives behind enemy lines.
While the
main plot is set in the early '90s, at the twilight of Muir's career, we are
treated to a smorgasbord of clandestine activity from Vietnam to East Berlin
to Beirut.
But despite
being at the eve of retirement, Muir proves there's a battle or two in the old
dog yet.
Bishop
on the other hand is young and feisty and unable to come to grips with "the
big picture" nor able to accept or follow all orders on the mere assumption
that it's "for the greater good" and so hits out on his own.
Getting
himself into a spot of bother in the process.
Spy Game
is slow-paced, yet not at all boring - intriguing with a good dash of action
- and has one of the most gratifying endings I've seen in a long time.