Operation Mincemeat (2022)

Directed by John Madden. Starring Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Johnny Flynn, Penelope Wilton, Jason Isaacs, Simon Russell Beale, Mark Gatiss, Lorne MacFadyen, Paul Ritter, Nicholas Rowe. [PG-13]

Two Mr. Darcy’s can’t breathe life into this static, cumbersome espionage story set among British intelligence during the second World War that’s as stiff—to forgive the obvious comparison—as their upper lips. Gathered into the drably formal photographic halls of smoky shadows and imperial framing that cue prestigious filmmaking intent are the players who intend to dupe Nazi Germany into believing an invasion feint (mincemeat on a hook, as it were), but it’s far more talk than intrigue, and so measured and expository in its storytelling that it’s easy to “lose the plot.” A gassy, repressed romantic sub-plot (among others) should have been pared down for tightness, and a pacier, more methodical approach would have generated increased high-level tradecraft interest; as is, the actors are tastefully restrained and the ambience is atmospheric, but not even the name-recognition comforts of Ian Fleming (Flynn) being one of the strategists can get this picture’s blood pumping. Premiered in 2021 at the British Film Festival. Ritter’s final film role.

45/100