![]() ![]() The legal questions surrounding her case help the movie reach a new gear, and “Official Secrets” makes quick work of narrating the duplicitous strong-arming by the United States and Britain that led to the Iraq war.īy the time Jeremy Northam shows up as Ben’s beach house neighbor, one wonders if any beloved British actor turned down “Official Secrets” - and if they should have. Turns out, the UK doesn’t like harboring husbands of traitors, and Yasar, a Turkish Kurd, narrowly escapes deportation. Once the British government learns Katharine was responsible for the leak, she and Yasar experience the full weight of her treasonous actions. Though she is the uniting figure, it often feels as though the narrative is swirling around her rather than being driven by her. These are key figures in the true story, but the pacing of their involvement has the unfortunate effect of diffusing their significance, while also pulling focus from Katharine. The late introduction of yet another significant figure, Katharine’s lawyer Ben Emmerson (Ralph Fiennes), shifts the focus yet again, and the movie abandons one idealistic journalist for an idealistic lawyer. This is no doubt a function of Gavin Hood’s inoffensive direction, and a by-the-books script by Gregory and Sara Bernstein. Already dubious of the existence of weapons of mass destruction then-Prime Minister Tony Blair insists Iraq has, demonstrated by her gripes at the news while her husband tries to watch football, Katharine decides to take action. The memo explained that the NSA was looking for any information on United Nations delegates that could be used to sway their votes in favor of the war in Iraq. While working as a Mandarin translator at Britain’s Government Communications Headquarters (G.C.H.Q.), Katharine is shocked to receive a staff-wide email from a man named Frank Koza, chief of staff for the regional targets division at the National Security Agency. ![]() ![]() “Official Secrets” may tell a story worth memorializing, especially today, but it never rises to the heights of its lofty aspirations.īased on the true story of British Intelligence whistleblower Katharine Gun (Knightley), “Official Secrets” begins with Katharine facing trial for treason in 2004 before cutting back to one year prior. Keira Knightley delivers a routine performance in a central role that is more expository than explosive, and the dramatic action builds around her character more like it would a glorified coat rack than a compelling heroine. ![]() Based on real events, the drama about a British translator who leaked a top secret NSA memo during the 2003 lead-up to the Iraq war fancies itself the next “Spotlight” or “The Post,” but its workmanlike translation is more fitting for social studies classrooms than awards conversations. If movies were simply judged by their educational and historical merits, “ Official Secrets” would be a slam dunk. Their legal battles exposed the highest levels of government in both London and Washington. As Iraq descended into chaos, Katharine was arrested and charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act. But within days, Bush declared he no longer needed UN backing and invaded anyway. Members of the Security Council were outraged and any chance of a UN resolution in favour of war collapsed. At great personal and professional risk, journalist Martin Bright published the leaked document in The Observer newspaper in London, and the story made headlines around the world. The memo proposed blackmailing smaller, undecided member states into voting for war. A morality tale for the 21st century, Official Secrets tells the true story of British Intelligence whistle-blower Katharine Gun who, during the immediate run-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion, leaked a top secret NSA memo exposing a joint US-UK illegal spying operation against members of the UN Security Council. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |