ALL THE OLD KNIVES
US, 2022, 101 minutes, Colour.
Chris Pine, Tandiwe Newton, Laurence Fishburne, Jonathan Pryce, Ahd, David Dawson.
Directed by Janus Metz.
The title has the echoes of the murder mystery title, Knives Out. However, while there is mystery, this is a 21st-century espionage story on, written by American thriller writer, Olen Steinhauer (who has also written television spy series, including Berlin Station). Practically every commentator notes the connection with John le Carre (as has been done here!).
To say that the plot is complicated is something of an understatement. Much of the action takes place in Vienna, 2012, the hijacking of a plane and the demands of the hijackers, the members of the unit in Vienna and the discussions about how to handle the situation. The officer in charge is played, with some solemn dignity, by Laurence Fishburne. Also on the staff is the researcher, Celia (Tandiwe Newton) who is having an affair with the seemingly happy-go-lucky staffer, freelancing type, Henry (Chris Pine) who had previously been stationed in Moscow, connected with negotiations about terrorists and Chechnya. Also present is the older agent, William, played by Jonathan Pryce.
There is urgency with the discussions, orders coming from DC, an undercover agent on the plane who is discovered – leading to suspicions that one of the staff has been in contact. Each of the members at the Vienna station is suspect.
Moving to 2020, the identity of the mole has never been revealed. However, one of the terrorists has given information and the head of the Vienna station, still Laurence Fishburne, commissioning Henry for a particular mission, to track down Celia in California, to confront her, and the challenge about naming the mole. He also pays a visit to William in London who telephoned Celia with a warning.
The plot becomes more complicated as Henry meets with Celia, remembers the past, Celia now happily married with children, but seeming to lead Henry on.
Which is where any review of All the Old Knives must stop, because the plot becomes more convoluted, twists, and not quite the ending we might have been led to believe!
- 21st-century spy drama? Memories of John le Carre?
- Espionage, hijacking, hostages, undercover agents, Langley, orders, Vienna bureau…? Complications?
- The structure of the film, the events in 2012, the hijacking of the plane, inside the plane? The Vienna bureau, meetings, personalities, discussions, contacts and sources? 2020, Henry Pelham and his mission, the bureau, the visit to London, the visit to California, the intercutting of the flashbacks? The musical score?
- The focus on Henry Pelham? Background working in Moscow, Chechnya, the rebels, betrayal to the government? Transferred to Vienna? His work, responsible to Vic? The relationship with Celia? The episode, observing, leaving, his meeting with the contact, the consequences? Years later, Vic, the commission, to ferret out the contact, eliminate?
- Celia, her past experiences, spy, agent, the episode with the hijacking, making her contact, getting information? Her relationship with each of the staff? The relationship with Henry, the scenes of passionate love-making? The irony is? Her leaving Vienna, to the US, marriage and two children, home life, the meeting with Henry, the fashionable restaurant, few customers, the staff, the irony of the revelations of the setup? The discussions with Henry, her love, memories of the past, explanations? The poisoning of the wine, a love, regrets, the truth, the aftermath and returning home?
- William Compton, older, his role, suspicions, contribution to the discussions, plans for action, attacking the plane? His leaving the bureau? In London, the visit from Henry, accusations and his being upset, phoning Celia to warn her?
- The other members of the staff, the code breaker, his latest suicide?
- Vic, in control, contact with Langley? Decisions? Still in charge, commissioning Henry to go to the US? Watching the surveillance footage? The death of Henry? Mission accomplished?
- The picture of the taking of the plane, the shooting of the flight attendant, the agent are board, his messages, being exposed, his being killed and the body thrown out? The message and demands?
- The Russian background, Chechnya, Muslim contacts?
- The title, memories of the past, the final revelation and consequences?
