Thursday, December 23, 2021

The Whistle Blower (1986)

Bob Jones works for British intelligence as a Russian interpreter.  On account of recent scandals in British intelligence, the workplace has become a low trust zone where everyone is encouraged to rat out any suspicious behavior.  Bob finds this difficult and discusses it with his father, Frank (Michael Caine).  Frank is a former Navy officer who has had a difficult time since leaving government service.  He encourages Bob to muddle through.  He's even a bit disappointed in his son's apparent lack of patriotism.  Soon after their conversation, Bob is dead and Frank doesn't accept it.  He thinks his son was murdered and he starts poking around.

A run of the mill spy thriller in which the West is killing its own agents in order to prevent the public exposure of a high-ranking and unprosecuted traitor.  Imagine how embarassing that would be.  Yes, better we kill some low-level intel officers and a pesky journalist.  Sure, the Soviets are bad but we're just as bad, maybe worse.  Mostly disappointing.  Not one of Michael Caine's better movies.

Skip.

No comments: