GulfportDoc
04-14-23, 12:35 PM
https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=92370
A Spy Among Friends (2022)
This extremely well done British espionage thriller has been available in the U.S. since March, 2023. Starring Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce, it’s a largely fictionalized account of the renowned double agent, Kim Philby, an English citizen who spied for Russia, to where he ultimately fled in 1963.
The 6 part series showcases the major points in Philby’s and others’ careers in MI5 and SIS (MI6), and their relationships and involvement in espionage. The chief facet of the series is Philby’s relationship to Nick Elliot, an MI6 agent stationed in Beirut, who initially believed that Philby was not a double agent, but who eventually wheedled a confession from Philby before Philby escaped to Russia.
There are two main draws to this absorbing series: first, the superb acting by the entire cast-- most especially from Lewis and Pearce; and second, the extraordinary cinematography by Nanu Segal. If there is a minor detraction it is the rather constant shuttling back and forth to different time frames. Yet we quickly identify which era in which the scenes are taking place.
The Brits are the best at dialogue driven dramas, and this series is a first rate example. There are practically no action scenes, nor any razzle-dazzle, but the viewer remains mesmerized by the relationship between the Philby and Lewis characters, and also Lewis’ relationship with MI5 agent Lily Thomas (Anna Maxwell Martin), who was tasked with lengthy interviews of Lewis-- mostly to ascertain if Lewis allowed Philby to flee to Russia. Her character is the only purely fictionalized one.
The film is based upon the book of the same title by Ben Macintyre. If this series adaption hasn’t won multiple awards, it should have.
Doc’s rating: 9/10
A Spy Among Friends (2022)
This extremely well done British espionage thriller has been available in the U.S. since March, 2023. Starring Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce, it’s a largely fictionalized account of the renowned double agent, Kim Philby, an English citizen who spied for Russia, to where he ultimately fled in 1963.
The 6 part series showcases the major points in Philby’s and others’ careers in MI5 and SIS (MI6), and their relationships and involvement in espionage. The chief facet of the series is Philby’s relationship to Nick Elliot, an MI6 agent stationed in Beirut, who initially believed that Philby was not a double agent, but who eventually wheedled a confession from Philby before Philby escaped to Russia.
There are two main draws to this absorbing series: first, the superb acting by the entire cast-- most especially from Lewis and Pearce; and second, the extraordinary cinematography by Nanu Segal. If there is a minor detraction it is the rather constant shuttling back and forth to different time frames. Yet we quickly identify which era in which the scenes are taking place.
The Brits are the best at dialogue driven dramas, and this series is a first rate example. There are practically no action scenes, nor any razzle-dazzle, but the viewer remains mesmerized by the relationship between the Philby and Lewis characters, and also Lewis’ relationship with MI5 agent Lily Thomas (Anna Maxwell Martin), who was tasked with lengthy interviews of Lewis-- mostly to ascertain if Lewis allowed Philby to flee to Russia. Her character is the only purely fictionalized one.
The film is based upon the book of the same title by Ben Macintyre. If this series adaption hasn’t won multiple awards, it should have.
Doc’s rating: 9/10