Review of A Most Wanted Man (2014) by Drago? C — 25 Dec 2014

Probably the best movie i've ever seen Rachel McAdams in (yes, better than both State of Play and MIdnight in Paris) A most Wanted Man is what a modern spy thriller should be. It has a sad but brilliant Wallander-esque lead, flawlessly portrayed by Seymour-Hoffman, a sharp, smart but restrained plot, a host of great side characters (the ever-brilliant Nina Hoss, Robin Wright of House of Cards Fame and Willem -fucking- Dafoe) and a grimy, dour, depressing pacing, subtly emphasized by the cinematography.

This is what espionage is in real life and this is how it should be portrayed: Boardroom meetings and endless hours grasping at thin threads, trying to set something in motion. This is what potential terrorists should be portrayed like, not evil masterminds and dedicated jihadis but doubtful, depressing people, cogs in a machine of terror. And this is what a spy thriller should be like. Not action-packed rooftop chases or quick cuts and gunplay but solid, round, doubt-ridden characters playing off and against one another.

When I reviewed one of Corbijn's earlier movies, the American I said that the pacing was dull, the action lacking and that the movie would likely fail with general audiences. And while a Most wanted Man still isn't a James Bond style spy movie I can safely say that Corbijn has hit the gold formula. THis is what a spy movie should be like general audiences be damned.