Review of Eye in the Sky (2015) by Foxgrove — 17 Apr 2016

Drone warfare and the dilemma of various politicians and military personnel over whether or not to carry out a ‘capture or kill’ operation is the subject of this riveting spring coiled drama. When the targets they are monitoring in a house in a small Nairobi village become an immediate threat to many lives, the debate over the life of one child becomes the focus of the film.

The various officials dodge responsibility or ‘pass the buck’ not wishing to be culpable should the collateral damage end up falling at their door. Where the film succeeds so brilliantly is in the writing which offers a balanced presentation of a difficult situation.

Political, military and moral considerations weigh in and all facets of human emotion are never far from the surface as depicted by a fine ensemble cast. Even the propaganda machine is assessed. That the film is nail bitingly tense has to be seen to be believed as director Gavin Hood contains the action in a few rooms trusting that his use of close ups on the actors faces will complete the turn of the screw, with just a little help from some judicious editing.

Helen Mirren is in her element here. She is always at her best when portraying strong women in control, and her Colonel Katharine Powell can certainly be counted amongst those. In his last screen appearance Alan Rickman has one of the film’s best lines.

Rebuking a colleague’s judgemental comments his ‘Never tell a military man the cost of war’ reply, is powerfully delivered. Also, his need to get the right doll for his daughter underlines the pointless trivialities that we all enjoy whilst, generally, remaining detached from the life and death game called war.