FilmSnobReviews

Title: Official Secrets
Rating: Not Yet Rated
Director: Gavin Hood
Starring: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Matthew Goode
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

What It Is: Based on a true story, British intelligence agent Katherine Gun (Knightley) makes the decision to leak an NSA email written to ensure the invasion of Iraq. Following the incident is a huge media blowout in which the memo made headlines around the world. Katherine and her immigrant husband are subsequently being put in federal hot water as she fights to stay out of prison due to the leak.

What We Think: Honestly I was sort of blown away. I suppose what I was preparing my body for was a yet another drawling, mildly interesting but pretty bland biopic. What I received was a plethora of amazing acting and an invigorating real-life story. Ladies and gentlemen: we got one. Keira Knightley blesses us with a charming, emotionally churning performance. The supporting cast follows in the acute delivery of a fantastic script that perfectly captures the characters’ highs and lows. It felt realistic, how the relationships were portrayed.

Our Grade: A-, As dry and not particularly eye-catching as the title is, the film manages to keep dark, profound, and intense all throughout, making for a pretty incredible viewing experience. It was relatable, not only on a personal level, but also (quite sadly), on an international level. Although it colors an event of the past, it is still relevent to today and events in the future. This is not only an interesting watch for the sake of entertainment, but it is an important reminder of the underlying terrors that we face in our federal institutions today.