Review of Allied (2016) by Troy C — 21 Dec 2016

Brad Pitt. Marion Cotillard. Robert Zemeckis. There's no shortage of top-tiered talent for this WWII romantic thriller, in which Pitt's Canadian military officer falls in love with Cottilard's French revolutionist during an assassination mission in Casablanca.

But how much can he really trust her? That's the question that simmers away throughout proceedings, albeit with a frustrating lack of subtlety, until taking centre stage in the last half of the movie.

It's a shame that Steven Knight's script leans so heavily on the thriller aspect of the plot, as the uncomplicated love story displayed in the opening act was, in large part due to the chemistry between the leading duo, more exciting and interesting then anything in the final stretch.

The film doesn't hide its influences - Casablanca, Dr. Zhivago, etc - which is admirable, however the vintage wartime-romance tone that is borrowed from those classics is spoiled by spliced in scenes of CGI-heavy action.

And whilst the central couple are compelling, the entire supporting cast are disappointingly underdeveloped giving the likes of Jared Harris, Lizzy Caplan (whose role in particular is completely absurd) and Matthew Goode little to work with.

All that negativity aside, however, there are still many worthy elements that ensure this remains a largely satisfying motion picture, not least Don Burgess' beautiful cinematography; every shot is captured so gorgeously it could be framed and mounted on a wall.

There are also some one-off moments of brilliance: the first time our lovers meet is tense and electric, a quiet piano-based confrontation between them is heartbreaking, and the rain-drenched airstrip finale is powerfully affecting.

Allied undoubtedly fails to fully capitalise on the star-studded cast and crew, but is nevertheless a decent tale of love, deceit and sacrifice.