The Courier
The Cold War Era’s James Bond is here, except this time he’s real.
Benedict Cumberbatch in his latest role as Greville Wynne, a recruit for MI6.
Ever imagine James Bond as a normal guy with a 9-5? That’s exactly what the courier is, less weapons, and way more mystery.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the Cold War era true story “The Courier” about a quiet British businessman recruited by secret agents to collect intel from the USSR and prevent the Cuban mistake crisis.
Of course, Daniel Craig would’ve been too badass for this role.
Now I mentioned the famous name “James Bond” because if we ever got anywhere close to a true spy in reality, Greville Wynne was it. Along side Oleg (Merab Ninidze), a soviet officer also interested in preventing this crisis, the two hide in the public eye to share information about the USSR’s intelligence to smuggle back into the United States. Why wouldn’t a regular businessman be fit for the job? Let’s see what equips someone to be a spy: Takes strength, acting, knowledge, critical thinking, ability to fight, an edge like no other, and the ability to speak multiple languages. Greville Wynne has little of any of these things, which, oddly enough, makes him the perfect candidate. A regular businessman looking to conduct business in foreign land and NOT actually be a spy? Sounds fine by me.
Plenty of you are probably wondering “what’s it like being back in theaters?” Well I’ll mention something I never thought I’d say about movie theaters, cleanliness is at an all time high. I almost felt embarrassed dropping my orange sour skittle (the cashiers choice rather than me buying sour patch kids, man was he wrong) on the floor because it was just simply ...too clean. Also, you know the behavior you see at a 9:45pm movie? Odd couples walking in and out with obvious signs of debauchery, loud people whose plans got cancelled and they figured “what the hell, we’re going to the movies”, and the occasional movie goer just like me but looks like cart man from south park when he played World of Warcraft; this is the reality of the empty spaced out movies theater at all times now, and I don’t mind! Enjoying this normalcy while it last, or whatever of normal is left in the world.
Back to the review, Benedict Cumberbatch is made for acting, we all know it. But how he plays a normal man is almost too normal. After finding out he was an English teacher for some time, it started to click why he’s so good. I stress the word “Normal” in this review because it’s really all he was in this movie for the majority of it. His character, Greville, has a wife and a daughter, lives in a small apartment, and his business is what keeps the family afloat. Go to work, come home, bleed some of the remaining energy into acts of love and care towards the girls and then he cracks a beer and goes to his peace. But when approached by secret intelligence MI6, Greville is asked to travel to the USSR to be a regular civilian conducting business and alert them on what he encounters. Soon enough, he forms a bond when he crosses roads of fate with a Soviet office, Oleg, and the two begin to collect intel to prevent the Cuban missile crisis. As events in history begin to unfold, the two begin to make countless trips between the USA and USSR to uphold the idea of two men “just doing business” when really they are saving thousands of lives.
The dark fate that awaits for the two of them as they accomplish thrilling yet not exaggerated. These escapes are only to be seen and not spoken about, after all, they’re spies. The two men deal with several devils as the film continues and the main one is lying to family in order to keep their safety. Greville is faced with this task after having a history of infidelity with his wife along with his drinking habits. Oleg constantly lies to his family as well, making it a demon for both men to face. It’s tough for a film with little spectacle to pull off keeping viewers attentions these days, but this old fashioned thriller based on story alone held my attention well. Almost sickening how dark this film became while keeping you on the edge of your seat. While watching the courier, you’ll feel a dwelling ache as the movie goes on accompanied by the eerie, dim, dreary undertones provided by cinematographer Sean Bobbitt. I wouldn’t watch this sleepy because the colors alone visually could either disturb you, depress you, or put you to sleep. Some true stories we wish weren’t true, but these are the prices people paid, especially for our freedom and lives.
Left to right: Oleg (Merab Ninidze) formally shaking hands with Greville (Benedict Cumberbatch)
The Cold War was no joke, and neither was the courier. A movie worth watching if you want to see the Cold War era of your US history textbook that was ripped out on screen. I give the courier a 7/10 as it has repetitive themes provided by this genere of film, you know, spies and the government during the Cold War. But the fact that this true story can be so haunting and seeing the real Greville Wynne at the end of the film gives the watcher some form of relief. If you’re catching up on period pieces, this film is a must see. Thank you Greville Wynne, your acts of bravery are remembered.
Benedict Cumberbatch lives up to the stature of the man himself, Greville Wynne, whose heroic actions shall not be forgotten.
