Our Kind of Traitor

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: July 1, 2016

6.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 41 Ratings

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NikolayGOct 8, 2016

I give this a 6 because I like Ewan McGregor and Naomie Harris, and the acting overall is excellent. But the story .... Listen, this is a fine rental when the price comes down but don't pay top dollar in the theater to see it. The novel mayI give this a 6 because I like Ewan McGregor and Naomie Harris, and the acting overall is excellent. But the story .... Listen, this is a fine rental when the price comes down but don't pay top dollar in the theater to see it. The novel may have been better, but here is the problem with the movie. Actually, there are three: First, the theme the director discusses in the "extras" is just not there. It was either never in the script or it got cut out after it was filmed. Every story, even an action movie or thriller, is best when it has a psychological dimension. Here, the fledgling relationship between the main couple was meant to create that dimension. The movie opens in Marrakesh. The husband feels like he's not a real man anymore. His wife's career is soaring. He's lost. He stumbles across this Russian mafia guy trying to turn good by smuggling secret information out of Marakesh to London (There's more to the mafioso's reasons than that, but I don't want to create a spoiler). The husband decides to help the mafioso, in order to give his life purpose and feel like someone who matters. But I'm making all this up about the husband, his motivation, because it's not there in the movie. I just know that it's supposed to be because of what I was told in the "extras" feature. But it should be in the actual movie, not only in the extras. The couple and their issues and the husband's sense of inadequacy never come across directly or indirectly, by dialogue or action. Unless a vacant stare of five seconds by Ewan McGregor is supposed to be sufficient. It's not. Big miss there.

Problem number two: I will be vague so as not to create any spoiler. Someone hides away in a very good place, far away, impossible to locate. Yet, magically, the bad guys show up. No explanation given. Problem number three: Later, something else major happens, very major, actually it's the climactic moment of the whole movie. It makes no sense, or only vague sense if you want to write some of the story yourself in your head to explain it, which is what I did. But the movie studio is not paying me, so why am I sitting there writing plot in my head to explain what's happening on the screen? Major major problem.

I want to see visual, audio hints, scenes, events that demonstrate to me what the heck went on. I don't want to just see a set piece, big action, and walk away saying OK whatever I guess there must have been something to explain that but they just didn't show it to us.

To recap, this movie has 3 major problems: (1) no psychological depth (i.e. the personal story of the couple and how that explained the main character's motivation); (2) the magical appearance of the bad guys at one point; and (3) the big finish set piece occurring without any explanation as to how. I can guess why, just guess, but have no idea how.

So rent it when it's cheap, and while you wait, read the book (which probably does not have the above problems) or 3/4 of it, saving the last bit to surprise you in the movie.

If they go back and shoot some more scenes, add 20 minutes to fill in those gaps and you could have a great movie. The movie's under 2 hours so they actually could do that and it wouldn't be too long. But of course this will never happen.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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Brent_MarchantJul 3, 2016

A modestly entertaining spy thriller that, unfortunately, falls prey to a surprising degree of predictability (unusual for a John Le Carre tale), as well as uneven character development and occasionally slow pacing. The fine ensemble castA modestly entertaining spy thriller that, unfortunately, falls prey to a surprising degree of predictability (unusual for a John Le Carre tale), as well as uneven character development and occasionally slow pacing. The fine ensemble cast does its best to cover the material and maintain suspense, particularly Damian Lewis, and the story's diverse location shots are beautifully filmed. However, these assets aren't enough to catapult this picture to the usual level of excellence seen in works of this kind.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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foxgroveJul 1, 2016

A watchable but unexcitingly bland spy story (no hesitation here in not using the word ‘thriller’) from the pen of John Le Carre that is a rather bloodless affair in every sense of the word. Politely, rather too politely, directed by SusannaA watchable but unexcitingly bland spy story (no hesitation here in not using the word ‘thriller’) from the pen of John Le Carre that is a rather bloodless affair in every sense of the word. Politely, rather too politely, directed by Susanna White the film is singularly lacking in tension and follows a very predictable and unconvincing story trajectory. The actors do their best to engage the interest and a couple of scenes ignite (in one case literally) but, Tinker Tailor it isn’t!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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CarFan1999Aug 12, 2016

Our Kind of Traitor only has two major things going for it. First of all, the cinematography is beautiful with many wide shots, nicely designed set pieces, and a unique stylization. Second, the story is unique as it's not just another spyOur Kind of Traitor only has two major things going for it. First of all, the cinematography is beautiful with many wide shots, nicely designed set pieces, and a unique stylization. Second, the story is unique as it's not just another spy movie. Twists and turns are abound and the conclusion is not what you expect from this type of movie. However, that's it. The acting is only ok as the characters emit little to no emotion. The plotting is also horrendous. The first act is too slow as it takes forever to the story to get going. The second act is fine as the tension builds and the pacing is perfect. However, the story all falls apart in the final act. Unbelievable things happen and events become predictable. This also leads to an underwhelming ending. Overall, Our Kind of Traitor looks very nice and has a unique spy story, but it's let down by somewhat poor acting and horrendous plotting.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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TVJerryJul 7, 2016

Ewan McGregor and Naomie Harris play a vacationing English couple, who befriend a flamboyant Russian (Stellan Skarsgård). He's got the goods on organized crime in his country and gets the hapless couple involved helping him flee to EnglandEwan McGregor and Naomie Harris play a vacationing English couple, who befriend a flamboyant Russian (Stellan Skarsgård). He's got the goods on organized crime in his country and gets the hapless couple involved helping him flee to England with his family. While there's a bunch of intrigue (often portrayed by suspicious glances), there's not much suspense. An uninteresting with no surprises plot doesn't help. The performances are OK and there are some nice international locales, but the story unfolds without creating much empathy for the characters or providing any thrills. If you want to see a John le Carré novel carried out with style and tension, see "The Night Manager," which was recently on AMC.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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eagleeyevikingApr 19, 2017

Beautifully restrained but also too polite, Susanna White's adaptation of John Le Carre's Our Kind of Traitor is just tense and twisty enough to warrant a viewing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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