Allied

Allied

Starring Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris, Matthew Goode

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

The Story:
Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) is a Canadian intelligence officer sent to Casablanca to assassinate the German ambassador in the midst of World War II.  He goes undercover, pretending to be the husband of French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard).  The two effortlessly play the part of a married couple and during their time roleplaying they actually fall in love.  After the mission, Max brings Marianne back to London, they get married and have a child.

All is blissful for the couple when Max is called in and told that his wife could be a German spy, and is shown evidence that seriously points to that conclusion.  He's told to not interfere, but if it turns out that Marianne is a spy, he'll have to kill her himself.  He sets out to prove his wife is really who she says she is, and with time running out, it becomes a heavily daunting task.

The Synopsis:
Robert Zemeckis is one of the most prolific, talented, innovative directors of our time.  "Forrest Gump," "Back to the Future," "Flight," "Contact," and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" are just some of the classic pieces of cinema he brought to the screen, and his foire into World War II territory harkens back to a time where war movies were more dramatic and smaller scale than the recent big budget war blockbusters like "Saving Private Ryan."  "Allied" is a throwback film to the "Casablanca" era, focusing more on character development than explosions, guns, and violence, and, as the saying goes, they just don't make films like this anymore.

At the heart of the film is Oscar nominee Brad Pitt and Oscar winner Marion Cotillard, who brilliantly portray their characters so beautifully they're highly believable as spies who fall in love in the middle of a tense mission.  The two share a wild chemistry that's powerful onscreen and really showcases their acting prowess.  Pitt is a no-nonsense, get the job done type of person who doesn't visibly show emotions until his wife's life is on the line, then he turns into a CSI investigator who examines the possible clues and tries to find a way to exonerate his wife before he has to put a bullet in her head.  Cotillard truly shines as the dutiful wife who is also a tough-as-nails woman who shows visible emotion through her amazing facial expressions and concerned looks.  She is becoming one of the most talented actresses of our time, and with other great performances in "La Vie en Rose" (which she won the Oscar), "Inception," "Rust and Bone," and "The Dark Knight Rises," her acting stock will only rise.

The story is definitely a slow-burning one, and there isn't too much action, so if you're looking for the "Private Ryan" experience, you'll be disappointed.  However, if you're looking for a strong film that centers on two highly capable leads and delivers a story that keeps you guessing until the very end, then "Allied" is right up your alley.  Everything about the film - from the acting to the marvelous set pieces to the impeccable costume designs that will surely garner an Oscar nomination - is flawless and perfect.  It's a beautiful tale woven on a tapestry of World War II espionage and takes us back in time to enjoy a fully developed story.

Of course, there's parallels between "Allied" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," which I basically called "Allied" the "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" in World War II.  Both films feature a married couple who were spies and who doubted each other, but unlike the more modern tale, "Allied" focuses more inward on the emotions of the characters instead of literally destroying the house they live in.  Not to mention that, during the film, rumors of an affair between Pitt and Cotillard spread which could've been a cause for the Pitt-Jolie divorce, ironic given the fact that he was married to Jennifer Aniston before having an affair with Angelia Jolie on the set of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."  Funny how it seems history might have repeated itself here.  But that's just an aside.

The Summary:
Mixing in beautiful set pieces, dazzling costumes, two of the world's most talented actors and a story as tense and suspenseful as anything set to screen, Robert Zemeckis' "Allied" is the World War II film that focuses on character-driven plot and story instead of lavish visual effects, and delivers a thought-provoking tale that will really have you thinking.

The Score: A