The Courier – High ranking Soviet official, Oleg Penkovsky reaches out to the CIA with critical intelligence in order to defect. Working alongside MI6, the CIA decide to use a civilian to act as a go between. They recruit salesman, Greville Wynne under the guide of conducting international business deals, Wynne and Penkovsky work together to get the information over to the West. As their secret dealings become increasing dangerous, will they both make it out of the Soviet Union alive?  

The Courier (2020) – Director: Dominic Cooke

By Studio and or Graphic Artist – Can be obtained from film’s distributor., Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66517874

Rating: 12

Running Length: 112 mins

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Merab Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan 

Genres: Period, Thriller

REVIEW: THE COURIER

Based on the true story of disillusioned Soviet official, Oleg Penkosky, and British civilian, Greville Wynne, ‘The Courier’ tells us the exhilarating tale of their collaboration and friendship. Wynne (Cumberbatch, ‘Doctor Strange‘) is a very ordinary man, living in 1960’s London with his wife and son. Wynne jumps at the opportunity to not only help his fellow countrymen but also have an exciting job to do.

Spy thrillers can get themselves wrapped up in complicated plot or be so difficult to understated as to lose the more exciting edges needed to keep audiences hooked. Thankfully,  ‘The Courier’ balances all the classic spycraft tropes while also staying fresh and exciting.

The friendship that develops between the two leads helps us feel a genuine warmth for the characters and adds to our increasing concern. When the net seems to close around them we want these men to succeed (knowing how high the stakes are), and admire their bravery in the face of such danger.

‘The Courier’ manages to keep us on the edge of our seats as two men from completely different lives come together to quietly try and save the world.

CONTENT: IS ‘THE COURIER’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

A man who has been arrested for treason is dragged into a warehouse in front of several officials, including Penkovsky (who the audience already knows has committed the same crime). The man seems known to the officials as a former colleague; he has had his head shaved and has clearly been beaten due to some blood and bruising on his face. He is very scared and a soldier immediately executes him by shooting him in the head – this is done on camera, however has his head lurches back and no wound is seen.

To show the difference in cultures after the oppressive nature of the Soviet Union, the scene switches to London where a large neon sign flashes with the words ‘Girls! Girls Girls!’

Greville kisses his wife passionately and they fall into bed, the camera cuts and comes back with the couple in bed afterwards. Later, when talking to a friend Greville’s wife states ‘He’s become so energetic in bed!’

Due to the stress he is under, Greville lashes out at his son and yells at him for forgetting to bring raincoats which upsets him.

A character who is suspected of committing treason is dragged away in front of his family. Another is punched before being bundled into a van.

While in prison, one of these character is shown being yelled at, beaten, forced to strip naked and have his head shaved. He is also searched intimately. The food he has to eat is disgusting and, as he refuses to give them the information they need, he is punished by having his mattress taken away. He is very scared and seen to suffer tremendously.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?