IR Film Review: ARGYLLE [Apple Original Films/Universal]
The aspect of the spy genre and what it means in reflection about the people who enjoy them is at the center of the whirlwind which is "Argylle", a new comedy/action film from Matthew Vaughn. Vaughn has always found interest in the quirky but then melding it with high concept action. His films are not straightforward and yet do speak to originality while also being derivative of everything before it. Unlike "The Kingsman" which this does pay reverance to in more ways than one, the crux of the film relates around a writer Elly (Bryce Dallas Howard) who seemingly can predict what is going on in the real spy world through some kind of sixth sense in her writing. The trailers seemed to hype something somewhat different but the actuality does make a lot of sense.
Howard understands the demeanor that needs to be shown but also is almost against type in certain ways from what one might think. That doesn't take its effectiveness down any but when the McGuffin shifts, the film does get a bit cartoonish so the stakes themselves don't seem as dire (until it moves towards the end). The tone then becomes oddly enough more "Boris & Natasha" ala Rocky & Bullwinkle more than anything else. The other lead is one also moving against type in Sam Rockwell. Again with his body of work, the approach is good and he has the chops. However again the aspect of some of the plot twists seem too cartoonish and fake to give it any real depth. "Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy" had a similar tone but its focus was satire whereas this plays it more straight despite its cartoonishness. Granted Vaughn is moving in a PG-13 realm but his sensibility is more R so it does come off light. That said, when Howard needs to change in certain ways, you see the acting chops she has.
Even though she made "Jurassic World", she is more at the center of this and has to carry the movie but the performance (despite her committment) seems at times too passive/aggressive. The big names in the trailer more are glorified cameos in the essence of wanting to play in Vaughn's world. That is fun enough of course but not enough to sustain the movie. The final act did ellicit gaffahs simply because it is very corny in many ways on purpose but the way it is visualized is not so much cool as the romance novel version of a spy thriller through say "Barbie" eyes. Now that is an interesting premise but the set piece decisions in trying to be so different come off not so much as empty as non-connective (though they do tie into story). The film and its tone don't feel dire...more like a big screen versions of the board games of "Life" mixed with "Sorry" and a dash of "Clue". It is fun at points but comes off more empty despite some enthusiastic performances by Rockwell and Howard. C+
By Tim Wassberg
