Black Bag (2025)

Black Bag (2025) is Steven Soderbergh’s slick spy thriller, starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbinder.  It has themes of lying, subterfuge and infidelity. Another RCC sell-out, with a real buzz around the hall.

This film failed to impress at the box office. Perhaps it was too hard to follow or didn’t have enough action. The veteran director himself wasn’t sure why it didn’t hit the spot.  However, the discussion group generally enjoyed Black Bag and there was a lively exchange of views.

Our minds did turn to other spy films, such as The Ipcress File (1965). reflected in an early kitchen scene, The Man From UNCLE and Mr and Mrs Smith. For one member of the group, there was a reminder of Agatha Christie novels, with the person you least expect being guilty.

Although John le Carré’s work was mentioned, such as Tinker, Tailor, it was felt there was more emotional treachery and complexity in his novels and TV/film adaptations.

Some of us disagreed with the spy comedy label. Black Bag was “humourless and grey” in comparison with the James Bond films. It “lacked grit.”  A member of the group found the characters “grimly depressing” and could not warm to them. She needed to connect with and care about them and she didn’t.  

We had a range of views about the lead characters of spies George and Kathryn. For one member of the group, there was a real emotional link – “they were connected in synchronicity.”

David Holmes’ throbbing, percussive and pounding background music was highly appreciated.  As were Karen’s delicious cookies, wittily presented in a stylish black bag. 

Anne