The 355

 

The 355
Starring Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong'o, Diane Kruger, Penelope Cruz
Directed by Simon Kinberg

In film, the names Jason Bourne, Ethan Hunt, and James Bond are synonymous with the word "spy," and it's easy to think that men mostly ruled the spy game in real life as well, but you'd be greatly mistaken. Women, from the offset of the spy industry, have been instrumental in the spy world and helped bring victory to their cause. Even famed chef Julia Child was a spy for the OSS back during World War II (where she helped develop shark repellent so those shot down over water wouldn't be attacked by them). Yet one of the more well-known, yet totally obscure, female spies in history was Agent 355 - an unknown woman who served as George Washington's spy during the American Revolution, who helped draw out the traitorous Benedict Arnold. It's this agent's name that's given to the female-led spy action film "The 355," and while it offers a fun, thrilling action-adventure with five of the leading female actresses out there, it's also bland and generic, with a typical story that's thankfully overshadowed by the strong performances.

There's a device out there that could start World War III, a flash drive that contains a data key that could destroy the world by toppling governments, eliminate the power grid, destabilize financial markets, launch nuclear warheads, and bring airplanes crashing from the sky. CIA agents Mace Browne (Jessica Chastain) and Nick Fowler (Sebastian Stan) are assigned with retrieving the device, but are thwarted by German BND agent Marie Schmidt (Diane Kruger), who's trying to get the device for the Germans. Mace then brings in her old friend Khadijah Adiyeme (Lupita Nyong'o), a former MI6 agent and the foremost expert on computers, to find the drive again. Knowing they have to work together, the three women join forces with Colombian DNI agent and psychiatrist Graciela Rivera (Penelope Cruz) and Chinese MSS agent Lin Mi Sheng (Fan Bingbing) to find the device before it's sold to the highest bidder and brings about a new Armageddon.

"The 355" doesn't tread on any new territory, and in fact when you think about it, the story itself is rather generic. A bunch of agents from different countries who are all held under the oppressive thumbs of their male leaders band together to prove that they have what it takes to find the fabled McGuffin and save the world their way. It's female empowerment mixed with James Bond and "Ocean's Eleven," and I'm perfectly fine with it, especially when you gather such a strong female ensemble cast as this.

The leader of this group is Jessica Chastain's no-nonsense Mace, a firecracker who doesn't obey the rules and remains out of control while staying in control, perfectly leading the women in their search. Lupita Nyong'o is your traditional hacker who knows the ins and outs of every technological advancement and who is more than capable with a gun when need be as well. Diane Kruger's character has past baggage that bubbles to the surface, but also allows her to be a no-holds-barred fighter and skilled warrior in combat. Bingbing Fan isn't really in the film that much, but from the moment she graces the screen she portrays her character with finesse and fierceness that's unparalleled. Only Penelope Cruz's Graciela Rivera is wasted, as she spends the majority of the film fearful that her association with the other women will get her family killed, and constantly worries about their safety, which is a character Cruz isn't really known for. Still, the chemistry between these actresses is palpable, and more than satisfactory in elevating the bland story and making it a little more memorable than it should.

"The 355" proves that women can work together, something that seems to be a misnomer in today's society - people don't generally think women can work together, as they're stereotyped as the traditional jealous type who are ruled by their emotions more than their intellect, but this movie blows that concept out of the water. More than anything, this film is not just a female empowerment movie, but one that celebrates the differences and the abilities that women have that men simply don't, and how they use these traits to their advantage in every situation. Plus, the action is intense and stylized, with carefully choreographed stunts and wild shootouts that'll please any action fanatic, as long as they don't mind it being women behind the guns.

By amassing an impressive female-led cast, "The 355" blends the action of James Bond with the espionage of "Ocean's Eleven" to craft an adequately performed film despite being held back by a subpar script.

The Score: A-