Written by: Vicky Jewson, Rupert Whitaker
Directed by: Vicky Jewson
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Olivia Jewson, Indira Varma
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
Bodyguard and counter-terrorism expert Sam (Noomi Rapace) takes a job protecting Zoe, a rich young heiress. Neither like the arrangement, but when a violent kidnapping attempt goes wrong, they are forced to go on the run.
Verdict
This is a passable action movie, but it's very by the numbers. The bullet point in this movie is a female bodyguard. The action isn't bad, but past that it's full of tropes. It's disappointing as it could have been better. It's primed to deconstruct the action movie genre, and I thought it might, but after one scene early on this follows a fairly typical path.
The two songs on the soundtrack by Candy Says are worth a mention. One appears during the opening, the other during the credits.
It depends.
Review
Inspired by the life of bodyguard Jacquie Davis, who has worked for J.K. Rowling's among other celebrities. Noomi Rapace plays a bodyguard to a teen heiress. Rapace usually picks interesting roles, and that's true here even if this movie isn't very interesting. This follows a typical action movie outline. It's unique with a female bodyguard, but this doesn't do anything past that. Sam and Zoe are on the run, but Zoe shows amazing resolve, even considering her situation, by attacking people her attackers. It seems like a stretch. I believe Sam is a killing machine, but not Zoe.
This movie could have deconstructed the genre a bit. Early on Sam is fighting with Mexican police who are corrupt. Zoe shoots at the police to help Sam, but after the fight Sam chides her for doing that. That's how you get the entire police force coming after you and specifically why Sam was fighting hand to hand. I wanted the movie to have more of this, with Sam as a voice of reason while Zoe spouts ideas from movies and television. This scene towards the beginning is the only instance of deconstructing the action movie genre. It's a shame that doesn't happen more.
Later in the movie Zoe spouts some idea of finding the evidence and exposing who they think is trying to kidnap her. I really wanted Sam to tell her why that wouldn't work because it's such a boring plot point. It happens all the time. No, that's the plan. This movie isn't bad, but it could have been a lot more.
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