Very Solid Little FIlm

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2019)

It's not particularily high budget or (on release) well publicised, but this is another good film starring Tom Cruise. A little bit different to the usual shooting and car chases. Following the life of an airline pilot that pitfalls his way into the deep state. First taking spy photos and then as a drug smuggler. This is a neat little film and there is not much time to feel bored. Everything happens pretty fast and at times the story suffers from a few parts where you have to fill in the blanks yourself. But I really enjoyed this film overall and it has a few funny scenes too. It is not a hugely political (propaganda) film and actually a fairly honest portrayal of South American drug smugglers and the immoral American facilitators. It is not a left wing film that is basically blaming Americans for everything, which is nice because if it had been it would have been terrible. These are all criminals and immoral people and the film isn't too worried about showing these characters as dangerous. No doubt the real life counterparts were extremely dangerous. This is portrayed brilliantly by Cruise's character having guns pointed at him every time he touches down in a cartel jungle hideout.
The CIA handler in this film is also quite funny. He is very well versed in 'thief' speak and does not give anything away. Not even his real name as the movie ends! Also the guy who plays Escobar looks so like the real Escobar I was wondering at times if the real Escobar had never actually gone to jail and played his own part! The ending is a little bit predictable but is also a very emotional one for the viewer. I don't want to give too much away there. All in all a good watch