Atomic Blonde
Director: David Leitch
By Alex Watson
There are few actresses on the planet better at kicking ass than Charlize Theron. Set against a thumping 80's soundtrack, Atomic Blonde is a gloriously pompous ride with a heroine to die for. Referred to as the female version of John Wick, director David Leitch (also John Wick's co-director) brings an effortless cool to proceedings. While the story might falter slightly during a lopsided third act, the entertainment factor never once goes below thrilling.
In 1989 Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) is a British MI6 agent sent to Berlin to investigate the murder of a British agent by KGB. In the last days before the Berlin Wall falls, the city is ripe with corruption and murder. Forced to work with dishevelled agent David Percival (James McAvoy), Broughton must work hard to get back a vital list of double agents that has gone missing. If KGB gets their hands on it, it will mean a cold war extension.
Despite its setting during the final days of the Cold War, Leitch doesn't overload the story with political themes. Atomic Blonde is a wonderfully straight forward story of revenge, Broughton is a cunning heroine from the very beginning. Secretly mourning the death of her lover and fellow agent. This trip is as much about getting square as it is neutralizing the threat. Watching her crawl out of a bathtub of ice cubes covered in bruises gives only a hint of what she is capable of. Jumping back and forth from an interrogation with her superior Eric Gray (Toby Jones) and shady CIA man Emmett Kurzfield (John Goodman), we learn quickly that she is an unreliable narrator. However, she is also a sleek and ruthless killer who can also put on the charm in a heartbeat. In short, this is one compelling lady who can break bones and hearts in equal measure.
Percival is an operative who brings his own set of problems. An MI6 golden boy gone wrong, he is a continually hungover liability with 'bad Sinead O'Connor hair'. His agenda is to simply make money and swimming between East and West Berlin has him frequently dodging bullets. Also on the horizon are French operative Delphine (Sofia Boutella), who takes a romantic interest in Lorraine. The first half of Leitch's movie is all about fine tuning, but his style is very fluid and stylish one and this benefits the movie greatly. Along with Lorraine's ruthless and sexy edge, the film glides along on rails. Set in a cold and frozen Berlin, the danger she faces is well portrayed. Any one of the allies she makes could double cross her in the blink of an eye. Berlin is a city where rules have long since departed and every man and women are for themselves. Leitch's set piece direction, in particular, shines brightly, especially during an ambitious 8 minute one take fight scene. A ferocious display of punches, kicks and bullets- Lorraine is like a caged animal released as she fights against a multitude of enemies. Leitch follows this up with a breathless car chase in reverse- this is an early candidate for scene of the year.
What holds back Atomic Blonde is its writing because although the story is free of any needlessly long explanations, there are also too many unanswered questions. Lorraine is a ballsy character but certain elements to her character are left unexplained, likewise Percival and his descent into black marketing. Writer Kurt Johnstad seems to go for a level of intelligence the movie just doesn't have and the frequent twists and turns become unbearable towards the end. While for the most part, this is a well-polished affair, there are still specks that need cleaning up. When you have been given a rip-roaring ride like Leitch's movie, such errors are easily forgiven.
Charlize Theron proves she is Hollywood's main lady when it comes to playing tough female leads. Her Lorraine has a wonderful sly touch to her and the sheer amount of layers Theron adds are astounding. Morally ambiguous from the get-go, Theron turns in a multi talented performance that is as sexy as it is cutthroat. Lorraine might not have the same strength as Furiosa but she is every bit as tough. McAvoy is able to match his A-list co-star with a sneaky and slimy performance as Percival. The Scottish actor keeps this character's intentions secret throughout and it's a supporting turn that is always evolving.
Atomic Blonde provides cinema with the best female heroine of 2017 and is a movie to just sit back and enjoy- just try not to ask too many questions.
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