City of Spies

There is more going on in this film than at first glance. It has the potential to be a cult classic and has layers which reveal themselves upon careful viewing.

I came across this director years ago when I saw his short, 11 Missed Calls, which had a similar vibe and a powerful twist. That film stayed with me a long time and I kept thinking about the story - three people trapped in an elevator - strange performances and dialogue - quotes from the Koran and dialogue like "a second resolution won't help". Eventually I worked it out; it was a story about diplomacy during the build-up to the Iraq war in 2003. That realization blew me away!

The same is true of City of Spies. It seems out of place and time. Who are these people. Why do they behave the way they do? There are subtle clues that this is not a conventional story about spies. You are led down the garden path and then the twist takes you down a rabbit hole. Occasionally you'll get a glimpse that something bigger is going on. There is a single shot close to the end where the main character talks about who they are working for, but the camera work is telling the audience that it's all a lie. I'm certain the sequel is going to turn everything on its head, and I am looking forward to seeing it.

This film is not for everyone, but it's definitely worth watching. You may laugh, cry or even get angry. Don't expect a traditional Hollywood spy thriller. Watch closely for the underlying meaning. It's worth the effort.