In a genre that gets grittier and darker by the year, and often seeks to bludgeon its audience with how current and perceptive about real events it is, Page Eight is a relief and an engrossing and suave, almost light-hearted ride. The story is tight and well-paced, centering almost exclusively on a single fact/event, and taking place over the course of just a week or so. No spoilers, but the ending is both off-kilter and just right (one of the better endings to a new film I've seen in a few years).
Viewed on paper, I suppose you could complain there isn't much new or surprising here. Surely, the events and situations are familiar, even topical. But the treatment is subtle and true, and the telling handled with an emphasis on character and the (slightly) off-beat. The dialog is electric and funny, full of nuance and innuendo, both humor and good humor, while retaining just enough menace and suspense. Bill Nighy and Rachel Weisz are not stretching themselves as actors here, but they turn in performances that are funny and felt, and above all believable. Fiennes and Gambon, in smaller roles, make vivid impressions that amply provide motivation to our heroes. I love the genre, and films like The Constant Gardener, Ronin, Children of Men, the Bourne trilogy, The Guard, Body of Lies, Blood Diamond, and especially the BBC TV series "Spooks" {AKA 'MI- 5'}. This compares closely & very favorably, especially the the last. I really enjoyed this film, and will watch it again soon.
Viewed on paper, I suppose you could complain there isn't much new or surprising here. Surely, the events and situations are familiar, even topical. But the treatment is subtle and true, and the telling handled with an emphasis on character and the (slightly) off-beat. The dialog is electric and funny, full of nuance and innuendo, both humor and good humor, while retaining just enough menace and suspense. Bill Nighy and Rachel Weisz are not stretching themselves as actors here, but they turn in performances that are funny and felt, and above all believable. Fiennes and Gambon, in smaller roles, make vivid impressions that amply provide motivation to our heroes. I love the genre, and films like The Constant Gardener, Ronin, Children of Men, the Bourne trilogy, The Guard, Body of Lies, Blood Diamond, and especially the BBC TV series "Spooks" {AKA 'MI- 5'}. This compares closely & very favorably, especially the the last. I really enjoyed this film, and will watch it again soon.