Read User Reviews and Submit your own for The Courier (2021)

7

TVJerryMar 19, 2021

This true story is set in the 60s, when fears of nuclear confrontation with Russian was at its height. Benedict Cumberbatch plays a British businessman who’s recruited to form an alliance with a Soviet officer and carry intelligence secretsThis true story is set in the 60s, when fears of nuclear confrontation with Russian was at its height. Benedict Cumberbatch plays a British businessman who’s recruited to form an alliance with a Soviet officer and carry intelligence secrets back home. This is a pretty typical espionage narrative. All the performances are solid and the editing/direction keep it involving without being flashy. The story unfolds with steady interest, but doesn’t create much tension until the turning point scenario. A smart, old-school spy flick.… Expand

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7

Brent_MarchantMar 21, 2021

Though somewhat slow to start, this Cold War espionage thriller set in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis picks up stream the further one gets into it, especially in a final act that tugs at the heartstrings surprisingly well in the wakeThough somewhat slow to start, this Cold War espionage thriller set in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis picks up stream the further one gets into it, especially in a final act that tugs at the heartstrings surprisingly well in the wake of the implications involved. Director Dominic Cooke's latest, a capably made offering in virtually every regard, tells the fact-based story of a British businessman recruited by the CIA and MI6 to transport secrets from a Russian operative to the West, a task he's reluctant to take on initially but actually becomes quite proficient at as the stakes are continually upped and larger threats loom. Benedict Cumberbatch's superb lead performance is probably some of the best work he's ever done, especially in the picture's home stretch. However, despite these many fine attributes, the film never feels quite as compelling as it probably could have in light of the high-stakes subject matter (except, of course, in the movie's end run sequence). While "The Courier" certainly makes a decent viewing option, especially when it delivers elements not expected out of this genre, its ability to wow audiences is never quite realized to the extent it otherwise might have.… Expand

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8

KenRDec 29, 2021

Easily one of 2020s strongest movies telling the fact-based story of a British businessman recruited to deliver and return information from a top Russian informer during the Cuban Missile crisis. All international cast performances are asEasily one of 2020s strongest movies telling the fact-based story of a British businessman recruited to deliver and return information from a top Russian informer during the Cuban Missile crisis. All international cast performances are as powerful as the material deserved and the viewer can’t help but be swept along with the suspenseful flow of international exchanges.

Production values are superb with quality evident in all aspects of fine film-making. Stark, exciting, in-depth storytelling that pulls no punches and remains on-target from top to tail.… Expand

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10

JohnpasApr 18, 2021

Wow. Im speechless. Just go and watch it . It was incredible. Masterclass acting. Phenomenal movie.

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0

sjack12May 26, 2021

Another Angloid, CIA funded, anti-Russian propaganda film churned out due to the new pseudo cold war happening at the moment. If you've seen one of these you've seen them all. Don't waste your time and move along.

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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6

umaumaiJul 22, 2021

Though somewhat boring, this “true story” is somehow compelling till the end. It might be because the setting. There is some sort of nostalgia in film I get when the USSR is involved as the backdrop. The movie is shot well and it has veryThough somewhat boring, this “true story” is somehow compelling till the end. It might be because the setting. There is some sort of nostalgia in film I get when the USSR is involved as the backdrop. The movie is shot well and it has very good actors, but it’s just not very thrilling. The “true” parts of the story are insane and had a very real affect on the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis, yet for some reason as amazing as that is it just doesn’t come across as the compelling reason to watch this. The score does it’s job, but with a film that has source cues from Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev it became forgettable by the end. Other then people who like to get their history from amalgamated entertainment this is okay to pass on. I will say that Cumberbatch undergoes a real transformation in this, but I’m not sure if it was necessary.… Expand

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8

garethvkMay 14, 2021

In the dangerous and covert game of espionage; knowledge is power. In the new film “The Courier”; the true story of Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch); and his induction into a covert world is chronicled. Wynne is an English businessmanIn the dangerous and covert game of espionage; knowledge is power. In the new film “The Courier”; the true story of Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch); and his induction into a covert world is chronicled. Wynne is an English businessman who is inducted to meet with a Soviet official named Oleg (Merab Ninidze) who is passing along secrets to the west.

Despite his reluctance; Wynne agrees to deliver whatever is handed to him and uses the provision that he does not open nor know what is in the items he is handed in order to give him a level of deniability.

Over time Wynne and Oleg develop visit one another in Moscow and London under the guise of business. Wynne brings Oleg limited but not classified details in an effort to support his regular visits and interactions as he is portrayed as a greedy businessman who is doing things to help the Soviet system to Oleg’s superiors.

As his missions mount so do the tensions between Wynne and his wife who thinks he may be being unfaithful after finding out about a past affair. With the ongoing danger of his missions as well as the stress of keeping his secrets from his wife; Wynne becomes increasingly agitated and paranoid as danger surrounds him.

The film is a very captivating drama filled with interesting and compelling characters. Seeing the friendship between the leads is a crucial part of the dynamic as many Cold War films often focus on the danger and the nature of the work vs the relationship between the characters.

The fact that the players are seen as expendable pieces in a larger game by their handlers contrasts with how the principal characters look out for one another.

The film was captivating and the two-hour run time flew by even when the pacing of the film remained slow to convey the plodding methodology involved in their work.

The fact that the film is based on a true story makes it even more compelling and the scenes where Oleg discusses his hopes for a better world for his family in America really hit home.

The cast is very strong and the film delivers without relying on action sequences and car chases and is not to be missed.

4 stars out of 5
Skewed and Reviewed… Expand