It is the early 1960s, and the Cold War rages in the shadows. Separated from each other by the Iron Curtain of Europe, the USA and the Soviet Union wage war on one another in every way except on the battlefield. One wrong move in the political arena can lead to a catastrophic nuclear war. In hidden alleys, alcoves and safehouses, spies from both sides plot the silent destruction of their enemies while evading authorities. In smaller countries, governments are toppled and set up on the cultural whims of their American or Soviet overlords through proxy wars.
It is in this world pulled taut that our film takes place. In East Berlin, CIA agent Napoleon Solo is carrying out a mission to bring the daughter of a German nuclear scientist beyond the curtain into the American side. After encountering and evading a KGB operative, Solo is then informed of a criminal organization consisting of former Nazis who are in the process of simplifying the process of creating nuclear weapons. To stop them, the US and the Soviet Union must co-operate, meaning that Solo must team up with the KGB agent from before, Illya Kuryakin. Together they must battle this criminal organization, as well as the ingrained mistrust and differences between each other.
Fun Fact: A LOT of people were considered for the role of Napoleon Solo. George Clooney could not take on the role because of health problems, and Tom Cruise was occupied with Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. Others considered include Joseph Gordon Levitt, Robert Pattinson, Michael Fassbender, Joel Kinnaman and Ryan Reynolds. Henry Cavill actually auditioned to be Illya.
Perhaps the strongest point of the film is its aesthetic value, including the cinematography, sound and visual editing. I love the one detail where the filter is given a grainy texture, as if filmed by a camera from the 60s. Also, the beginning and the end is perhaps my favourite moments, when the director does this best to suck the audience in, telling the tale of the Cold War through photos, newspaper clips and maps, and also lead them out of the film as well. And it would be a sin to leave out the costumes as well, most of it being vintage clothing.
Second of all, I love the music, particularly the flute tracks (I’ve realised that Guy Ritchie has always had a thing for flutes in his film soundtracks) and Take Care Of Business by Nina Simone. A lot of effort is put into immersing you in the world of the Cold War, whether in 60s Germany or Italy, through the clothes, speech and music. There are moments when the music dominates the scenes, where the dialogue and sounds are muted, letting the music set up the atmosphere. Most of the time its effective, sometimes it can be excessive. It doesn’t have to happen or every dramatic scene.
Fun Fact: Hugh Grant is the ONLY main cast member to use his natural accent in the film.
Another strong point is the relationships between the main characters, particularly Illya and Solo. The constant dick-measuring between the both of them, is just a treat to watch, especially when their different cultures and methodologies clash. Of course, being spies from different nations it is inevitable that there is the constant feeling of mistrust, especially in the case with the rewards of their mission, but I didn’t think it really led to anything, since it came up close to the end. I’m not saying it was completely necessary, but I think they should have gone all in with it or not at all and just stick to them being more or less competitive rivals.
Storywise, it was alright, but no ball of fire. If you have watched any James Bond film or other spy flick, especially those that embrace the style of spy-flicks, then you will have seen the plot to this one. It is for all intents and purposes an origin story, which does explain why the romance between Illya and Gaby never blooms, but is still present. Perhaps there are hints of a sequel? But as is one of the common problems with origin stories, you feel that the big villain got beaten a little too easily. Granted the way it happened was creative and smooth but still more anticlimactic than I would have hoped.
Fun Fact: Both Cavill and Hammer did their own stunts in the film. In particular there s a scene where Solo removes a tablecloth without disturbing any of the objects on top was actually done by Henry Cavil, as he was trained by British Variety star Mat Ricardo.
Overall, I give The Man from U.N.C.L.E a 7 out of 10. A very stylish film by Guy Ritchie. Not perfectly done, but you can tell there was passion and effort put into it. A real treat to watch and to listen to, even if the story is no sparkler.
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