'Allied' is lackluster and without suspense

'Allied' stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard, two secret operatives working during World War II who become romantically involved.

|
Daniel Smith/Paramount Pictures/AP
'Allied' stars Marion Cotillard (l.) and Brad Pitt (r.).

I would have thought that Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard would be capable of generating a lot more heat than the tiny sputtering flame occasionally visible in “Allied,” a lackluster World War II espionage drama directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Steven Knight without producing the slightest tingle of suspense. 

Pitt plays Max Vatan, a secret operative from Canada who works in the British special operations, where he is teamed in Morocco – Casablanca, no less! – with Marianne Beauséjour (Cotillard), an operative assigned to pose as his wife.

Inevitably, as the scene shifts to London, these two develop real feelings for each other – the fake lovebirds become real ones, complete with marriage and a baby daughter. But the war is still raging and Allied secrets are inexplicably being leaked to the Germans. Is Marianne the culprit? It’s a measure of the film’s dullness that the answer to that question is far from pressing. Grade: C (Rated R for violence, some sexuality/nudity, language and brief drug use.)

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
Real news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.
The Christian Science Monitor was founded in 1908 to lift the standard of journalism and uplift humanity. We aim to “speak the truth in love.” Our goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you the essential knowledge and understanding to come to your own intelligent conclusions. Join us in this mission by subscribing.
QR Code to 'Allied' is lackluster and without suspense
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2016/1123/Allied-is-lackluster-and-without-suspense
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe