Talk about a power couple.
In the latest film from director Steven Soderbergh, Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett play a married couple who both work in British Intelligence as elite spies. At the outset of the film, Fassbender’s character George is informed that a secret piece of tech has been leaked and one of the suspects behind it is his wife, Kathryn.
George accepts the mission to investigate where the leak is coming from, committing to including his wife in his search, though he is skeptical. The film follows as he plays a careful game of keeping Kathryn close while also looking into her own spy work which has been labeled as classified or “black bagged.”
Blanchett is an Academy Award-winning actress, Soderbergh is an Oscar winning-director, and Fassbender is a two-time nominee. While this feature boasts award-level star power, it isn’t quite an Oscar contender, and that’s OK! “Black Bag” is a solid, compelling little spy thriller at just over 90 minutes.
The movie includes the life-on-the-edge thrills that spy movies should, along with the espionage aspects and the added angle of having a main relationship where one of the main characters might be the enemy. It’s engaging to follow this cat-and-mouse situation, especially with Fassbender’s character having to play things so cautiously.
The picture is very finely paced as well, with Soderbergh and writer David Koepp creating an efficient story where plot threads are well developed and tied together to make any twists and turns enjoyable. The whole film is fast and snappy without feeling rushed.
It’s certainly one of Soderbergh’s better works in a while after disappointments like 2019’s “The Laundromat” and 2020’s “Let Them All Talk.” The director seems in his element in films with high stakes or dangerous situations like 2009’s “The Informant,” 2011’s “Contagion” and 2017’s “Logan Lucky.”
This is the latest example, with “Black Bag” being an effective film where the gravity of the situation is felt. For the most part it works, despite a few setbacks. It is a bit light compared to other spy thrillers out there, with little added intrigue related to greater foreign policy issues. Plus the picture’s third act is just a bit too clean.
However, it really helps to have the likes of Fassbender and Blanchett as your movie’s headliners. As spies, both characters are crafty and capable of manipulating when needed, so it can be hard to know what their true motive is. At the same time, they are very much a couple in a real relationship. Fassbender and Blanchett make all of this feel authentic and really fuels the film’s engine.
The supporting cast is solid, too. Pierce Brosnan brings a proper amount of authority to his role of the agency’s director, while Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomi Harris and Rege-Jean Page are all quite strong as other agents and friends of the main couple. They’re also assisted by a clever, sly script.
“Black Bag” is a good movie and one Hollywood should make more of. It’s not an epic blockbuster, nor is it an award-contending piece of cinema. It’s just an enjoyable, well-made film with a good cast and crew that entertains using a smart premise. Perfect for a night at the theater. 3.85 out of 5.
Matthew Liedke on Film 
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