Relay

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (out of 5)
Whistleblowers are a regular occurrence in the news as corporations are constantly being held to account by those within their ranks. Yet, most of us are not aware of the potential harassment that can occur for these individuals as they attempt to do the right thing by society.
Director David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water) explores this unique corporate element by exposing those who seek to aid the informant in escaping their former employers. Dr. Sarah Grant (Lily James) has managed to escape with a confidential report that exposes nefarious actions being perpetrated by the firm where she had worked. No law firm wants to take on her case, but one suggests she contact another person who can assist her. Tom (Riz Ahmed) is a “fixer" who operates through a TTY relay system to keep his anonymity. Still, he has a system that allows him to broker deals between his clients and the corporations. A method that works well for all involved, unless he gets too close to the deal, and this case becomes personal.
Writer Justin Piasecki (Expend4bles) has created a suspense thriller that is a welcome change from the overly developed stories of recent cinema. A shell game that turns in on itself will keep audiences guessing who to be cheering for and wondering how things will come together. Brilliantly played out by Ahmed, James, Sam Worthington (Avatar) and his surveillance team. The tight script and subtle nuances make this a compelling offering despite seeming familiar territory to experience. Each character has their strengths and weaknesses that lead to a tangled web of misdirection that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the unexpected conclusion.
Relay gives us something to celebrate as David Mackenzie returns to the director's chair. He delivers a joyous romp for those looking for an entertaining suspense thriller that is clever enough to keep you guessing, while satisfying your sense of mystery in the end.
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REEL DIALOGUE: Is whistleblowing worth the effort?
When considering the moral dilemma of informing on your current employer while stealing documents in the process, it is worth contemplating how one might respond to this situation. The twists of the tale provide their own resolution. Still, technically, there is an element that can be interpreted as breaking the law. How are Christians supposed to respond in situations similar to this one?
An excellent place to begin is to look at the words of the Bible, specifically Acts 5:27-29, “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’”
These passages open the door to the discussion on how we are to respond to ‘the law of the land.’ If these rules do not contradict the law of God, we are to obey the laws established by our culture. It is when these laws begin to contradict God’s commands that we can consider contradicting this law and following His law. Before engaging in illegal activity, these decisions need to be weighed against the potential consequences it may lead to and how it will impact the testimony of those who choose to break the law.
If you continue to read Acts 5, Peter and John did break the law, but they were still willing to accept the government’s authority. The result was temporarily painful but caused praise and celebration in these men. Following God’s law does not mean the elimination of difficulties, but awareness and peace in following God instead of the ways of man.