Directed by Dominic Cooke
Written by Tom O'Connor
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Merab Ninidze, Rachel Brosnahan
Runtime: 1 hour 51 minutes
Rated PG-13 for violence, partial nudity, brief strong language, and smoking throughout
In theaters March 19

by Stacey Osbeck, Staff Writer

Based on true events, The Courier takes place at the beginning of the 1960s, as the arms race heats up.  Alex Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) sees Russia planning dangerous moves to draw the United States into a game of chicken that will likely end in nuclear war.   

After Alex makes a desperate attempt to reach out to the U.S. Embassy in Russian the CIA and MI6 together decide how to best connect with their newfound informant.   

With the current political climate it appears wisest to send a British national, a regular businessman, to make contact.  Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch, Avengers: Endgame) thinks he’s being invited out to lunch by an old friend, Dickie Franks (Angus Wright).  At the table he introduces Greville to an American, Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).  As it becomes clear to Greville that he’s dining with spies and being recruited, he responds I’m just a salesman.  Emily assures him that’s his strength.  His cover is what he actually is, a businessman trying to connect companies with manufacturers in the West.   

After an initial reluctance, Greville schedules a meeting with top business leaders in Moscow through the trade commission.  At this gathering Alex invites him out to lunch.  A natural and genuine friendship develops between the two men.   

Under the cover of business the two visit each other.  When Alex visits London with his constituents, Greville talks shop and later takes them for a night out along with his wife, Sheila (Jessie Buckley, Chernobyl, I’m Thinking of Ending Things).  As the evening comes to a close, Alex sneaks away with Greville to be debriefed by Emily and Dickie.  The most imminent threat Alex warns of is Russia transporting arms into Cuba.  Once in Cuba they will brazenly sit on the ready in close proximity to the U.S. right under Kennedy’s nose.   

I’ve never seen a spy film handled quite this way, the reserved nature in Dominic Cooke’s directing and Tom O’Connor’s script.  There’s no let’s push this for dramatic effect. No pandering. No cloying wonder at the good old days of the 60s.  Restraint in the execution kept a sense of realism.  They didn’t let a big budget dictate that they had to show it off.  There’s no go-go-Gadget moment.  No obligatory here are the tools of the spy trade, let us show you how they work.   

The simplicity with which the spies operate is quietly thrilling to witness.  A secret drawer.  An innocuous signal in chalk.  When Moscow Police take chase after Emily she ducks into a bookstore, tosses her camel color coat, whips out a black piece of outerwear, puts a scarf over her hair and she’s out the door before they’re any the wiser.   

When Dickie directs Greville to wear a specific tie bar while in Moscow, he asks what does it do shoot poisonous darts?  He’s told it’s best that he doesn’t know.  Greville, like us, only gets a peek into this world not an all access pass.   

The color palate orchestrated under Production Designer Suzie Davies acts as the perfect backdrop to the Cold War.  Cloudy grays, cement white, wood here and there for some warmth and every so often a spot of orange.  But the wide range of blues added a beautiful depth while conveying an unwelcoming world. The sky blue of a bathroom with checkered floor.  A bright navy lady’s suit with matching hat.  A pop of saturated teal on an olive military uniform.  The glossy French blue finish on a car.  Robin’s egg blue of kitchen cabinets.  And in a tense scene where Greville waits in an airplane surrounded by the cool hue, the color helps keep the temperature of the scene icy.   

I highly recommend this picture.  If you’re ready to for a break from over the top stylized 007 or Jason Borne flicks, The Courier offers a refreshing change of pace.  For those who don’t care for spy thrillers, it’s a great story of friendship and how regardless of the times one person can still make a difference