The Courier(2020 film)
The Courier | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Dominic Cooke |
Written by | Tom O’Connor |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Sean Bobbitt |
Edited by |
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Music by | Abel Korzeniowski |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 111 minutes[1] |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Box office | $26 million[2] |
The Courieris a 2020historicalspy filmdirected byDominic Cookeand written by Tom O'Connor. The film starsBenedict CumberbatchasGreville Wynne,and is based on the true story of a British businessman who was recruited by theSecret Intelligence Serviceto be a message conduit with Russian spy sourceOleg Penkovsky(played byMerab Ninidze) in the 1960s.[3]Rachel Brosnahan,Jessie Buckley,andAngus Wrightalso star.
The Courierhad its world premiere under its original titleIronbarkat theSundance Film Festivalon 24 January 2020, and was theatrically released in the United States on 19 March 2021, and the United Kingdom on 13 August 2021. The film received generally favourable reviews from critics.
Plot
[edit]In 1960,Oleg Penkovsky,a high ranking Soviet official andGRUintelligence officer with access to top secret nuclear information, is disillusioned withKhrushchev'sleadership in light of the growing threat of a nuclear war with the United States. He reaches out to theCIAand offers to provide information that could help de-escalate the situation. The CIA and MI6 decide that it would be better not to use an officer and instead have an ordinary businessman act as an intermediary.
They approach salesmanGreville Wynneto go to Moscow under the pretense of exploring commercial opportunities. Wynne establishes seemingly normal business relations with Penkovsky and the latter makes arrangements with western intelligence agencies to feed them information. He asks that they continue to use Wynne as their regular courier, reasoning that he will be under the Soviets' radar. Initially opposed to the task, Wynne eventually agrees, partly after CIA officer Emily Donovan emphasizes that his efforts could help prevent a nuclear war and also after Penkovsky visits him at his home and tells him that he is betting his life on Wynne's success.
Wynne uses his business travels to Moscow to regularly carry messages and packages provided by Penkovsky to the CIA. However, this takes a toll on his personal life, where he starts behaving agitatedly, leading his wife to think that he may be having an affair.
Penkovsky learns that the Soviets want to turn Cuba into a nuclear threat to the United States, and relays this information, along with photographs and military plans to the CIA, who eventually verify this using their own intelligence. The Americans are able to use this early lead to their advantage during theCuban Missile Crisis.However, the Soviets, using their own double agents, realize they have an information vulnerability. In Moscow, Wynne realizes that his hotel room had been searched, but leaves the country before he has a chance to warn Penkovsky.
Worried about Penkovsky's fate should he be left behind, Wynne volunteers against the advice of MI6 to go back to Moscow to help arrange Penkovsky's defection. However, the Soviets, having previously poisoned Penkovsky and searched his belongings while he was in the hospital, foil the plan and arrest both men.
Wynne is sent to prison where he endures harsh conditions which results in his health significantly deteriorating. He adamantly maintains his innocence, claiming that he knew Penkovsky only as a business client, and did not know what was in the packages he had delivered. Several months later, he is allowed a visit from his wife, who tells him that the Soviets have removed their missiles from Cuba, boosting his morale. He also gets to meet Penkovsky in prison while being interrogated, and tells him that his sacrifice was worth it and the two men emotionally clutch hands.
In April 1964, Wynne is released in exchange for the Soviet spyKonon Molodyand returns to London. It is also revealed that Penkovsky was tried and executed for treason, and buried in an unmarked grave, but with his family being allowed to live in Moscow. The U.S. and Soviets also establish acommunications hotlinebetween their leaders to prevent future nuclear disasters.
Cast
[edit]- Benedict CumberbatchasGreville Wynne
- Merab NinidzeasOleg Penkovsky
- Rachel Brosnahanas Emily Donovan / Helen Talbott,CIAofficer
- Jessie Buckleyas Sheila, Wynne's wife
- Angus WrightasDickie Franks/ James Dobbing,MI6officer
- Željko Ivanekas CIA DirectorJohn A. McCone
- Kirill Pirogovas Oleg Gribanov,KGBofficer and a chief of KGB's 3rd Directorate (Military Counterintelligence).
- Anton Lesseras Bertrand
- Maria Mironovaas Vera Penkovskaya, Oleg's wife
- Vladimir Chuprikov asNikita Khrushchev
Production
[edit]On 1 May 2018, it was announced thatFilmNation Entertainmentwas producingIronbark,a film about British spyGreville Wynnefrom a script by Tom O’Connor.Dominic Cookewas set to direct the film and produce alongside O’Connor, Ben Pugh, Rory Aitken, Adam Ackland, Josh Varney, and Leah Clarke. Production companies involved with the film include SunnyMarch.[3][4][5][6]
Alongside the initial production announcement, it was confirmed thatBenedict Cumberbatchhad been cast as Greville Wynne.[3]In October 2018, it was announced thatRachel Brosnahan,Jessie Buckley,Merab Ninidze,Angus Wright,andKirill Pirogovhad joined the cast of the film.[7][8]
Principal photography for the film commenced inLondonon 15 October 2018 and it lasted until 7 December 2018.[9][10]
Music
[edit]Abel Korzeniowskicomposed the score andLakeshore Recordsreleased the soundtrack on 19 March 2021.[11]
Track listing and credits adapted fromSoundtrack.Net.[12]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Spies and Typewriters" | 2:23 |
2. | "Iron Curtain" | 2:22 |
3. | "First Contact" | 2:01 |
4. | "Greville" | 1:34 |
5. | "Secret Meeting" | 2:15 |
6. | "Prelude" | 1:30 |
7. | "It Has to Be You" | 3:06 |
8. | "Eyes of the State" | 2:07 |
9. | "Cigarettes" | 2:08 |
10. | "Cuban Missiles" | 1:05 |
11. | "Our Last Trip to Moscow" | 4:02 |
12. | "I Have a Light Day" | 1:18 |
13. | "Trenchcoats vs. KGB" | 3:04 |
14. | "Arrested" | 2:25 |
15. | "Cold Soup" | 2:11 |
16. | "Breakdown" | 1:32 |
17. | "When You Come Home" | 1:04 |
18. | "Maybe We Are Only Two People" | 4:40 |
Total length: | 40:47 |
Release
[edit]The film had its world premiere at theSundance Film Festivalon 24 January 2020, under the titleIronbark.[13]Shortly after,Roadside AttractionsandLionsgateacquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[14]Under the new nameThe Courier,the film was given an original 28 August 2020 theatrical release in the United States.[15]However, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,it was delayed to 16 October 2020.[16]It was scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2020.[17]It was delayed again to 19 March 2021,[18]and was eventually released on 13 August 2021.
Reception
[edit]Box office
[edit]The Couriergrossed $6.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $19.4 million elsewhere, for a worldwide total of $26 million.[2]
In its domestic opening weekend, the film grossed $1.9 million from 1,433 theaters in its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office.[19]The film made $1 million in its second weekend.[20]
Critical response
[edit]Onreview aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,the film holds an approval rating of 85% based on 214 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "The Courierdelivers a rousingly effective old-school spy adventure elevated by a thrilling fact-based story and Benedict Cumberbatch's nervy central performance. "[21]OnMetacritic,it has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on reviews from 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[22]According toPostTrak,82% of audience members gave the film a positive score, with 62% saying they would definitely recommend it.[19]
The Washington Post'sAnn Hornadaygave the film 3 out of 4 stars, saying: "The Couriermakes a smart, stylish stand for the kind of old-fashioned period spy thriller that is increasingly being turned into bingeable series for streaming services. Its modesty and carefully managed ambitions define its strong suit at a time when such films are scarcer every day. "[23]Peter Debruge ofVarietycalled the film "solid if dull-by-definition espionage story" and said: "[The Courier's] hook is that it's based on true events, and the underlying history deserves to be shared. "[24]
Nominations
[edit]Merab Ninidzewas nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2020British Independent Film Awards.[25]
References
[edit]- ^"Ironbark".Sundance Film Festival.Archived fromthe originalon 25 September 2020.Retrieved24 January2020.
- ^ab"The Courier (2021)".Box Office Mojo.IMDb.Retrieved6 December2021.
- ^abcWiseman, Andreas (3 May 2018)."Benedict Cumberbatch To Star As Cold War Spy Greville Wynne In FilmNation Thriller 'Ironbark' — Hot Cannes Pic".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved3 May2018.
- ^McNary, Dave (3 May 2018)."Benedict Cumberbatch to Play Cold War Spy in Thriller 'Ironbark'".Variety.Retrieved3 May2018.
- ^Ritman, Alex (3 May 2018)."Benedict Cumberbatch to Play Cold War Spy in FilmNation's 'Ironbark'".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved3 May2018.
- ^White, James (3 May 2018)."Benedict Cumberbatch Playing A Spy In Ironbark".Empire.Retrieved3 May2018.
- ^N'Duka, Amanda (8 October 2018)."'Mrs. Maisel' Star Rachel Brosnahan Joins Benedict Cumberbatch In 'Ironbark'".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved8 October2018.
- ^Grater, Tom (11 October 2018)."Jessie Buckley joins Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel Brosnahan in 'Ironbark' (exclusive)".Screen Daily.Retrieved16 October2018.
- ^"Film and Television Industry Alliance - Production List: Ironbark".Production List.15 October 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 18 October 2018.Retrieved18 October2018.
- ^Cook, Laurence (16 October 2018)."Week in Review: Sky Takes 'Bold Step' With Major U.K. Drama Investment + More Industry News".Backstage.Retrieved18 October2018.
- ^"'The Courier' Soundtrack Album Details | Film Music Reporter ".Retrieved21 March2021.
- ^"The Courier Soundtrack (2021)".www.soundtrack.net.Retrieved21 March2021.
- ^Siegel, Tatiana (4 December 2019)."Sundance Unveils Female-Powered Lineup Featuring Taylor Swift, Gloria Steinem, Abortion Road Trip Drama".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved4 December2019.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (27 January 2020)."Lionsgate Closing U.S. Deal On Benedict Cumberbatch Cold War Thriller 'Ironbark:' Sundance".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved27 January2020.
- ^"Benedict Cumberbatch's 'The Courier' Lands August Release in Theaters".The Hollywood Reporter.6 May 2020.Retrieved8 May2020.
- ^Wilmore, Allison; Ebri, Bilge (31 August 2020)."38 Movies We're Excited to See This Fall West Side Story, Dune, Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan in a seaside Romance. Will the movies come through?".Vulture.Retrieved31 August2020.
- ^"The Courier".Launching Films.Retrieved7 July2020.
- ^Booth, Ned (27 January 2021)."'The Courier' Trailer: Benedict Cumberbatch & Rachel Brosnahan Star In A Spy Thriller Coming In March ".The Playlist.Retrieved27 January2021.
- ^abD'Alessandro, Anthony (21 March 2021)."L.A. Weekend Box Office Clears $1M+; Kelly Marie Tran & Carlos Lopez Estrada Welcome 'Raya' El Capitan Fans As Pic Posts Firm No. 1 Hold – Update".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved21 March2021.
- ^Rebecca Rubin (28 March 2021)."Box Office: Bob Odenkirk's 'Nobody' Debuts to No. 1 as 'Godzilla vs. Kong' Roars Overseas".Variety.Retrieved28 March2021.
- ^"The Courier (2020)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.Retrieved29 November2022.
- ^"The Courier (2021) Reviews".Metacritic.Retrieved1 May2021.
- ^Hornaday, Ann(17 March 2021)."'The Courier' is a throwback to the kind of solid yet fun spy thriller they don't make anymore ".The Washington Post.Retrieved20 March2021.
- ^Debruge, Peter (24 January 2020)."'Ironbark': Film Review ".Variety.Retrieved16 March2022.
- ^"Georgian actor Merab Ninidze nominated for British Independent Film Awards".Agenda.ge.Retrieved31 October2021.
External links
[edit]- 2020 films
- 2020 drama films
- 2020 thriller films
- 2020s American films
- 2020s British films
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s historical drama films
- 2020s historical thriller films
- 2020s spy thriller films
- American historical drama films
- American historical thriller films
- American spy thriller films
- British historical drama films
- British historical thriller films
- British spy drama films
- British spy thriller films
- Cold War spy films
- Cultural depictions of Nikita Khrushchev
- Drama films based on actual events
- FilmNation Entertainment films
- Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Films about the Central Intelligence Agency
- Films about the Cuban Missile Crisis
- Films about MI6
- Films about the KGB
- Films set in 1960
- Films set in 1962
- Films set in 1963
- Films set in London
- Films set in Moscow
- Films set in the Soviet Union
- Films set in Langley, Virginia
- Films shot in London
- Lionsgate films
- Roadside Attractions films
- Spy films based on actual events
- Thriller films based on actual events
- English-language historical drama films