Starring: Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton, Jessica Henwick, Dhanush, Alfre Woodard, Rege-Jean Page, Wagner Moura, Julia Butters, Shea Whigham
Distributor: Netflix
Runtime: 126 mins. Reviewed in Jul 2022
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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Six is a top secret agent for the CIA. Now the organisation has turned against him. Non-stop espionage action through Asia and Europe.
Yes, we have probably seen all this before. But, does this matter? If it is done well and entertainingly, why not see it all again. Which, for most audiences, will be the case with The Gray Man.
We are in the world of espionage and the world of the CIA – not always a comfortable world, not always a moral world, a world of political and moral grey. Which, for dramatic purposes, as we have known for decades with James Bond and other spies, can be exciting for us as we sit comfortably in our cinema seats or home lounges.
What makes this story little different is that the central character went to prison as a teenager (and, as we meet him when young, we suspect that he does not really deserve to be there) accused of killing his father. The explanation of why and how comes only at the end of the film. The central character is played by Ryan Gosling, a versatile actor but not one whom we might immediately think of as an American equivalent of a less flamboyant James Bond (but, Gosling might have made an interesting James Bond). In prison, he is recruited by the CIA chief, Fitzroy, played by the always-effective Billy Bob Thornton. His codename is Six. Because he has been sentenced to life imprisonment, the offer to be an agent, a hitman, does, at least, offer him more freedom of movement.
The opening is in Bangkok 2021, elaborate sets (as is the case throughout the whole film, with settings ranging from Hong Kong, Croatia, Berlin to Vienna…). Six fulfils his mission but discovers that he is being betrayed, that he is being targeted by the ruthless CIA chief, Carmichael (a coldly ruthless performance by Bridgerton’s Page).
What follows, sometimes at fairly breathless pace are abductions, hostage taking, shootouts, car chases (the usual ingredients) with Six using all his wits to escape but also to pursue his nemesis. He has an advantage that his Bangkok connection, Dani Miranda (de Armas in yet another substantial leading role, Knives Out, Blonde, No Time to Die) believes him and not only comes to the rescue at times, is able to join in the final confrontation, with Six showing some vulnerabilities and she using her strength and wits.
There is also the human element, Six having once babysat Fitzroy’s niece, with him now using her as a hostage to lure Six back. The surprise element at this stage of the proceedings is to discover the sadistically smiling psychopath torturer, Lloyd Hansen, cruel, sardonic, narcissistic, arrogantly self-confident, the villain of the film. And, surprisingly, he is played by Chris Evans, Captain America himself.
So, you will know whether you want to see The Gray Man and enjoy this kind of spectacular, expensively-made, international, espionage action and adventure. (This reviewer saw The Gray Man in cinema release, big screen, darkened space, atmosphere (the best way) before it moved to Netflix streaming.)
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