 |
| Marion Cotillard & Brad Pitt (r) star in Allied |
Thawed at Last
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: The story of intelligence officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) who in 1942 North Africa encounters French Resistance fighter Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard) on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Reunited in London, their relationship is threatened by the extreme pressures of the war. Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
I came in, expecting a watered-down version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith; but Zemeckis manages to give Allied a flavor all its own. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have two of Hollywood's most charismatic actors (Pitt, Cotillard) at your disposal. Don't expect much action or humor; but do expect tons of drama and suspense, in the rich tradition of Casablanca and Notorious. Cotillard not only keeps pace, "I would be OK, if I have to use cutlery," she actually trumps Pitt, who's (finally) starting to show his age. Good cinematography (Don Burgess) and story... with even better acting. Sold.
Grade: B
