Spy Game

I can have all the reservations I want about the script, but the fact is that Scott is an excellent craftsman, his direction is dynamic, and the plot moves forward quickly. That's why the two hours went by like water and I didn't have the feeling of plot fragmentation thanks to the frequent flashbacks. I must also praise the production design, the realities of Beirut with streets full of chaos looked really convincing. And the actors? Redford is still awesome and a great actor, even at his age, and Pitt is just Pitt. Again, he didn't forgo his typical acting mannerisms in places, but he won't change. All in all, an above average thriller, but only for one viewing. Three and a half stars. (03/18/2004)

"Why would I ask somebody else to kill a horse that belonged to me?" On his last day before retirement, a case officer turns Langley upside down and acts on the very emotions he always warned his recruits against. It doesn’t matter that after a series of lies, blatant abuse of power, forgery of documents, and sending SEAL teams into action based on false orders, he has not only lost his pension fund for a comfortable retirement in warm countries but may not see a cent of his retirement savings. Well, at least he has his Porsche, right? Unless it goes up for auction to cover damages. The average shot length of 2.7 seconds is just right to avoid crossing into epileptically unbearable Scott territory, but the seasoned veteran Redford deserved a more convincing script for his One Day of the Condor. (12/20/2022)

This is a film with sober ratings and average reviews, but for me, it is Tony Scott's best film and one of those rare cases of action-packed spy drama that I can really appreciate. It's quite typical that this film has much lower ratings than a series of absurdly exaggerated action-packed films. Of course, the screenplay has its flaws here and there, which is why I am not giving it a five-star rating, but Robert Redford is excellent, the film maintains tension practically throughout, with dynamic editing that has nothing to do with choppiness, and especially the parts set in Beirut are precise in terms of action. Overall impression: 85%. (04/17/2009)

This is easily the best spy movie. A great story of love, honor, principle and sacrifice compiled into a contemporary spy thriller. A brilliant plot and a battle of wits that goes on from the beginning to the last minute. A riveting, well written, intelligent and superbly acted Hollywood smash starring the excellent Brad Pitt and Robert Redford. (01/12/2014)

It’s been a long time since I saw Spy Game for the first time. It was at a time when I was terribly biased against Tony Scott. I was bothered by the way he told his stories, where if you miss a second, you immediately get lost in the plot. Or at least I have always felt like that. I actually felt the same way about Spy Game. But I decided to try my best with this movie and I must say that it made me happy in all respects. The story is realistic; it reminds me a bit of French films from the seventies. Robert Redford and Brad Pitt deliver great performances and it’s a pleasure to watch them. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the scene in Berlin where Redford trains Brad and sends him to an absolutely unknown balcony. This wonderful scene and their friendship are a true joy to watch. (08/20/2013)