Spy game, jeu d'espions

Robert Redford s'installe au bureau au début et, en se remémorant les aventures d'espionnage qu'il a vécues avec son partenaire Brad Pitt, il ne bouge pas de là jusqu'à la fin du film. Une mosaïque de flashbacks d'espionnage qui pense qu'elle peut captiver en se contentant d'un scénario intelligemment écrit sans une bonne dose d'action et de personnages principaux bien développés. Une erreur. Consacrer autant d'attention du public à un scénario surchargé de 130 minutes, qui ne récompense en rien grandement... je n'en joue pas. (21/05/2002)

This is a film with sober ratings and average reviews, but for me, it is Tony Scott's best film and one of those rare cases of action-packed spy drama that I can really appreciate. It's quite typical that this film has much lower ratings than a series of absurdly exaggerated action-packed films. Of course, the screenplay has its flaws here and there, which is why I am not giving it a five-star rating, but Robert Redford is excellent, the film maintains tension practically throughout, with dynamic editing that has nothing to do with choppiness, and especially the parts set in Beirut are precise in terms of action. Overall impression: 85%. (17/04/2009)

It’s been a long time since I saw Spy Game for the first time. It was at a time when I was terribly biased against Tony Scott. I was bothered by the way he told his stories, where if you miss a second, you immediately get lost in the plot. Or at least I have always felt like that. I actually felt the same way about Spy Game. But I decided to try my best with this movie and I must say that it made me happy in all respects. The story is realistic; it reminds me a bit of French films from the seventies. Robert Redford and Brad Pitt deliver great performances and it’s a pleasure to watch them. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the scene in Berlin where Redford trains Brad and sends him to an absolutely unknown balcony. This wonderful scene and their friendship are a true joy to watch. (20/08/2013)

I can have all the reservations I want about the script, but the fact is that Scott is an excellent craftsman, his direction is dynamic, and the plot moves forward quickly. That's why the two hours went by like water and I didn't have the feeling of plot fragmentation thanks to the frequent flashbacks. I must also praise the production design, the realities of Beirut with streets full of chaos looked really convincing. And the actors? Redford is still awesome and a great actor, even at his age, and Pitt is just Pitt. Again, he didn't forgo his typical acting mannerisms in places, but he won't change. All in all, an above average thriller, but only for one viewing. Three and a half stars. (19/03/2004)

I've missed this movie on TV a few times, and I'm glad I was finally able to see it. I should thank ‘Blesk’ newspaper for the free DVD edition. Spy Game is an otherwise top-notch spy thriller with an excellent acting duo in the lead roles. Redford shows he's still a wisecracking dude in his old age, and Brad Pitt shows again that he looks like he's Redford's son. Plus, Tony Scott's playful camerawork gives the movie an incredibly appealing look. I was most impressed by the roof interview scene (the FUJIFILM sign) and that’s why today’s lesson in the director’s diary reads: "If you want to film an interview in a high quality and dynamic way, film it from a helicopter." ;-) (01/05/2008)