Black Bag

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (out of 5 stars)

Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Traffic) is a filmmaker who continues to work on his craft and gives the perception that he makes the films he wants to make without concern for popular opinion or following the latest trends. Partnering him with David Koepp (Mission: Impossible, Spider-Man) makes a positively intriguing combination that should make the industry notice. Yet, Black Bag has been as covert in its entry into the market as the plot suggests: classy, with little fanfare, and hiding something special.

In this world of espionage, a mole has been discovered and lead agent George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender) has been tasked with unearthing the culprit who has put the world population at risk. The challenge is that his well-respected fellow spy and wife, Kathryn (Cate Blanchett), is on the list of possible traitors. Yet, the undeniable and almost mystical bond between this pair makes it difficult to keep the personal separate from the professional investigation. This leads to a game of cat and mouse between a formidable cast of characters with the motive and opportunity to upend the world order. The Woodhouses must maneuver their careers, lives and marriage to see if each can survive this investigation.

What is noticeable within the first few minutes of the film was how elegantly uncomplicated this film was going to be while Soderbergh beautifully crafted a complexity that kept the tension building. The attention to detail from wardrobe to cinematography shows how masterful this director is at his craft. Then to perfectly cast Fassbender and Blanchett in the lead roles was a masterstroke despite having Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan along for the ride who all had the potential to steal each and even the overall film. Still, the Woodhouses commanded every scene and kept this fascinating screenplay from venturing into caricature or predictability.

Interestingly, there were secondary elements that received as much attention to add to the overall brilliance of this film. The first is the soundtrack; Steven Soderbergh manages to acknowledge that the auditory senses are as important as the visual and complements the movie with fine musical selections that add, not distract, from the story. The next issue was taking a counter-cultural view of marriage and holding up the value of monogamy. This beautiful aspect burst out of the screen. It exposed how romantic and captivating this cherished relationship can be for those willing to commit. Finally, the unspoken sweet spot that this film managed to hit upon was the perfect length. Clocking in at a mere 93 minutes, this proves to all filmmakers how editing and concise writing can lead to entertaining options for all to enjoy.

Black Bag is a film worth seeing in cinemas to rediscover what great filmmaking can offer audiences. Its elegant simplicity, beautifully crafted craftsmanship, perfect casting, and excellent soundtrack complement a film that will entertain and wonderfully uphold the union of a monogamous marriage.

Have you ever thought of starting a movie discussion group?

REEL DIALOGUE: Is monogamy an outdated concept?

David Koepp screenplay blasts open the discussion on marriage. This brilliant script brings the whole discussion of monogamy and its value to the forefront. Some may think that the Bible does not have the answers to this question of marriage. Thankfully, God does not leave this question unanswered. The Bible directly answers the question of the value of marriage. Throughout the Bible, the answers are provided; even Jesus gives specific answers to people when asked.

“Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” - Matthew 19:4-6

Monogamy within a marriage was God's idea and is a blessing to mankind. There is marvellous freedom within his paradigm, but it is worth saying that God does have a paradigm. Anyone's opinion that differs from the Bible and/or Jesus' statement on marriage is merely their opinion. It puts them at odds with God's view on marriage and most likely on everything else too. The Bible's answers are accessible to all for consideration. Still, the reader must choose what to believe about marriage and life.

If you would like to discuss the issues associated with marriage and the Bible. Reach out to us at Third Space. We would love to chat about this and more.