British and American espionage officials were eager to gather information from Oleg Penkowski (Georgian-born Mareb Ninidze, also terrific), a high-ranking Soviet officer increasingly concerned by leader Nikita Khrushchev’s desire to confront the West has gone. But he needed a way to use what Penkowski knows, using “the KGB will no doubt” collect his secrets.
They arrive near the Greyville Vine of Cumberbatch, but rather a family man who periodically goes to Moscow for business. “, I’m just a salesman,” Wein protests, and he seems genuinely worried and apprehensive before finally agreeing.
There is a fair amount of cloaks-and-dagger gamesmanship, in which Penkowski tries to reassure Wayne by telling the prince’s eyes on the two of them, according to theater director Dominic Cook’s direction from a script by Tom O’Connor. “I’m better than they are.”
Meanwhile, Wayne must keep the entire operation a secret from his wife (Jessie Buckley), who becomes suspicious of his behavior, including a greater interest in physical fitness – and energy in the bedroom – in which he is already involved.
Cumberbatch is very good at portraying Wayne as an ordinary blank thrown in an extraordinary position, whose MI-6 and CIA handlers (later played by Rachel Brosnahan of “The Marvelous Mrs. Massel”) are concerned about her well-being But still willing to put him in danger. ” Penkowski is giving them valuable information.
The film’s heart, however, rests in a bond forged between the two central characters, whose loyalty and compassion to each other is tied to international borders and tensions, as a vivid recollection of the steak preceding the Cuban missile crisis I come to the fore.
At that stage, and others, the “courier” delivers more.
“The Courier” will premiere in theaters on March 19. It is rated PG-13.
