Decent Willis vehicle

Rating: 7/10 (23 February 2011)

This film brings nothing new to the genre (old codgers show they still got spunk, like the last thirty years of the life of almost-eternal George Burns in art and in life). I don't however agree with some of the extremely negative reviews. Yes, it may be hard to see great actors like Mirren and Freeman hamming it up, but what the hell, they looked like they were having fun, and we all know that good roles aren't that easy for ageing stars – Mirren can hardly redo Elizabeth, can she? Sure, the thing is full of clichés, and there are several improbable segues. But we're all supposed to be grown ups by now, having seen a gadzillion Bourne type flicks, so we know that all spies keep hidey-holes full of weapons, passports and money, so we shouldn't gripe that it's not explained in the film. Just take it as a given for the genre, sit back and enjoy the decent pacing, minimalist script (for once!), sympathetic actors (Mary Louise Parker is a major scene-stealer), and great casting for the secondary parts (Brian Cox as a shady Russian, Richard Dreyfus as an arms dealer who's channelling Dick Cheney, Rebecca Pidgeon as a CIA boss dragon lady). It's a Bruce Willis action slash comedy slash rom-com, for heaven's sake. Judged on its own terms, it's decent, well crafted, and I certainly didn't feel my time was wasted. Casablanca also started its mythic journey as a well-made B film. This one won't age as well, of course, since comedies especially topical comedies never do, but for now its nice to see good actors having fun.