OUR KIND OF TRAITOR (2016)

Genre: Thriller
Director: Susanna White
Cast:  Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgard, Damian Lewis, Naomi Harris, Jeremy North, Khalid Abdall
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins
Rating: M18 (Some Sexual Scenes and Nudity)
Released By: Shaw 
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 7 July 2016

Synopsis: While on holiday in Marrakech, an ordinary English couple, Perry (Ewan McGregor - The Impossible, The Ghost) and Gail (Naomie Harris - Spectre, Southpaw), befriend a flamboyant and charismatic Russian, Dima (Stellan Skarsgård - Avengers: Age of Ultron, TheGirl With the Dragon Tattoo), who unbeknownst to them is a kingpin money launderer for the Russian mafia. When Dima asks for their help to deliver classified information to the British Secret Services, Perry and Gail get caught in a dangerous world of international espionage and dirty politics. The couple is propelled on a perilous journey through Paris and Bern, a safe house in the French Alps, to the murky corners of the City of London and to analliance with the British Government via a ruthless and determined MI6 agent (Damian Lewis -­‐Homeland).From the writer of Driveadapting the hit John le Carré novel - the mind behind Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, this taut thriller twists and turns its way around the world with dramatic consequences

Movie Review:

Based on a novel by John Le Carre, Our Kind of Traitor is a slow burner but nevertheless an arresting crime flick worth your spare time.

Perry McKendrick (Ewan McGregor), a University Professor and his barrister wife Gail (Naomie Harris) are on vacation in Morocco when Perry met and befriend a rambunctious Russian mobster, Dima (Stellan Skarsgard). Before Perry returned to the UK, Dima wants him to hand over a thumb drive containing information that linked corrupt politicians and bankers to the Russian mafia to MI6 in exchange for asylum in London. With eyes on him 24 hours a day, will Dima succeed in protecting his family from his ruthless master?

First of all, audiences who are used to the showy spy antics of James Bond and Jason Bourne will be thoroughly bored by Our Kind of Traitor. Apparently, this particular espionage thriller is a different kind of accomplishment. Director Susanna White (Nanny McPhee Returns) and Hossein Amini (The Two Faces of January) effectively tell their spy story with hardly a car chase in sight or bloody mano a mano between good and evil. Even an action sequence involving firearms happened in the dark of the night with most of it firing off-screen. What it has it’s an abundance amount of engaging narrative, plotting and outstanding acting.  

The vacation in Morocco is supposed to be a time for McKendricks to salvage their marriage after we learnt that Perry has slept with one of his students. But with Dima and his money-laundering business coming in, this emotional part of the story seems to be entirely forgotten. Other than this obvious mishap, the acting is fabulous especially Stellan Skarsgard’s scene-stealing colourful performance and not forgetting his manhood making yet another cameo. Homeland’s Damien Lewis plays the MI6 officer; Hector who is in charge of the case which conveniently has his ex-boss being one of the corrupted officials. Ewan McGregor on the other hand plays an ordinary man who has no qualms protecting the weak and innocent, a bland goody two shoes character that is unfortunately upstaged by his co-stars. 

To make up for the somewhat predictable story and lack of thrills, the movie boasts solid location shooting in London and Paris and a gripping pacing despite a tiny budget, probably a fraction of Skyfall’s marketing expenses. In addition, Oscar winning Anthony Dod Mantle (Slumdog Millionaire) provides the cinematography so you can assure the end product is fantastic looking.

For a movie that has John Le Carre himself producing and based on his own novel, Our Kind of Traitor is a respectable addition to the rest of his past works such as The Constant Gardener and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. However for people used to all the explosions, fancy effects and shaky cams, it’s best you don’t apply for this one.

Movie Rating:

(Stingy on the action and thrills but remains an arresting spy drama)

Review by Linus Tee