3 out of 5 stars
In the modern world of espionage, information moves quickly and government officials must make quick decisions that can have far-reaching implications on people's lives. Often they can rely on intelligence and sources, while most of the time, these choices are made on gut instinct. All the Old Knives has the hijacking of Flight 127 as a backdrop for agents in the American Embassy in Vienna and how they process the horrific outcomes of this rescue mission that went very wrong.
Henry Pelham (Chris Pine) works as an informant handler in the CIA and is trying to identify how to assist with this hijacking as it unfolds in 2012. His boss, Vick Wallinger (Laurence Fishburne), knows that he has connections with the Chechen terrorist running the operation from a remote location. Henry tries to find the necessary information on the streets. At the same time, his work colleague and girlfriend Celia Harrison (Thandiwe Newton) attempts to stop the potential tragedy from occurring from within the Embassy. Even though the operatives do all they can to work against the clock to find a solution, the terrorists kill all on the plane.
All the Old Knives contains mature content
Despite the compelling drama that surrounds the hijacking situation, the film's heart focuses on the investigation that follows. After a decade, the books are reopened on the case of flight. This is due to the discovery of a potential mole within the agency. Henry is put in charge of the probe of his former colleagues. An analysis that forces him to find Celia in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, where she disappeared to and retired from the agency after the debacle in Austria. As the two meet for the first time in years, they must work past their relationship to unearth the truth behind Flight 127.
Director Janus Metz Pedersen (Borg v McEnroe) has delivered a decent spy thriller that is reminiscent of a John le Carré novel with a central romance. This liaison adds a raw intensity that will keep the audience off-balance throughout. Not that it breaks any new ground within the genre, but it does pay homage to the espionage story arc without needing an action hero. Olen Steinhauer’s screenplay relies on the undeniable chemistry of the lead characters to keep everyone guessing until the end and secretly wanting these two to get back together.
Pine and Newton manage to develop an undeniable and convincing on-screen chemistry. As they travel from past memories to the present investigation, their relationship makes the real sparks fly. Also, they are convincing as intelligence agents who never really trust anyone, even their former lovers. Even with phenomenal supporting efforts from Abdul Alshareef, Jonathan Pryce and Laurence Fishburne, this project relies on the emotional strain between the leads. All of this exists and will keep viewers guessing until the final moments.
REEL DIALOGUE: Who can you trust?
Films of espionage and terrorism always cause a certain amount of angst about knowing who to trust. As tensions fly around the world with war occurring in Europe, it can become unsettling to determine whom to believe.
In this 'fake news' world that has become more and more interconnected, it has become less obvious who we can trust. Knowing who is the bearer of truth and justice. The government, schools and even churches have proven to be suspect in the area of trust. Thankfully, there is one place where the truth can still be found. Not to sound cliched, but the Bible does provide answers to this question and more.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
