Black Sea

4 February 2019

Black Sea

• Director: Kevin Macdonald (who also directed The Last King of Scotland!)
• Based on the novel: no
• Cast: Jude Law, Karl Davies, Jodie Whittaker, Konstantin Khabenskiy, Daniel Ryan, Scoot McNairy, Tobias Menzies, Michael Smiley, David Threlfall
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Jude Law – Genius, Sherlock Holmes Game of Shadows, Hugo, Contagion, Repo Men, Sherlock Holmes, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Sleuth, The Holiday, Breaking and Entering, The Aviator, Closer, Alfie, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Cold Mountain, eXistenZ, Gattaca, Wilde,
• Jodie Whittaker – Doctor Who (just the regeneration so far),Broadchurch, Adult Life Skills, Good Vibrations, Attack the Block, The Kid, Cranford, Kick Ass Girls St Trinians
• Konstantin Khabenskiy – World War Z, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Wanted
• Tobias Menzies – The Night Manager, Doctor Who, Bonekickers, Atonement, Casino Royale, Finding Neverland
• Michael Smiley – Doctor Who, The World’s End, The Other Boleyn Girl, Rose and Maloney, Hustle
• David Threlfall – Nowhere Boy, Elizabeth the Golden Age, Hot Fuzz, Sex Chips and Rock’n’Roll, King Lear, Nicholas Nickleby
• Why? Jodie Whittaker, Jude Law
• Seen: 1 February 2019      

       Wasn’t this supposed to be sci fi? Guess not. Looks more like a political thriller or something. Robinson (Law) loses his job as a submarine pilot. He’s angry and bitter. He joins the unemployed and stalks his ex-wife Cassy (Whittaker) and son. One of his mates suggests a heist. Nazi Germany vs Soviet Union. Lost gold. Found in the 80’s in a wreck 90 metres under the sea in disputed waters.

       Right. Submarine. A gang of macho men.

       I don’t like this kind of movie. But I like Whittaker and Law and it does seem to have some class conflict.

       There’s an explosion. The sub sinks. It’s kind of interesting but mostly boring. Whittaker has a nothing role so once again her brilliant acting is wasted. Law gets to be macho. It doesn’t suit him. Much of the time I have no idea what’s going on and when I do, I can’t bring myself to care.

       I really don’t like this kind of film. But I will be generous and give it

2 * of 5 (Hal suggested 1*, which is OK with me)