In Argylle, a reclusive author who writes espionage novels realises the plot of the new book she’s writing starts to mirror real-world events, in real time. Source: Australian Catholics.
Howard is Elly Conway, a spy thriller author who lives in a world of her own making until an agent named Aidan (Rockwell, enjoying himself all the way through) approaches her on a train, and informs her she is the target of a spy organisation. Aidan is revealed, through as many fight variations you can have on a moving train, to be both a spy and an avid reader of all Elly’s novels
We have already seen part of one of her novels in action, with Cavill as her muscular fictional hero Argylle with his tough associate Wyatt (Cena). Argylle will reappear throughout the film, in Elly’s eyes alternating between Argylle and Aidan as fiction and reality blur.
While Elly’s mother Ruth (O’Hara) is keen to help her daughter with her writing and plot development, we discover the malevolent influence of the rogue spy organisation The Division, led by Ritter (Cranston).
By about a third of the way through or more, there is the temptation to think that this is perhaps a bit more routine than hoped for. But, then the twists start. And then twist on twists!
With plenty of star power in this film, Argylle was made for enjoyment rather than for minute critical analysis.
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media.
Argylle: Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, Arianna DeBose, Dua Lipa, John Cena, Samuel L Jackson. Directed by Matthew Vaughn. 140 minutes. Rated M (Violence and coarse language.)
FULL REVIEW
Argylle (Jesuit Media via Australian Catholics)
