The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018) Review
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Minimum Experience. Maximum Damage.
This review contains spoilers.
This review contains spoilers.
The Spy Who Dumped Me is more sophisticated than it has any right to be. Being Susanna Fogel's second outing as a director, it is surprising to see impressive and, at times, inventive action sequences as well as witty and hilarious comedic moments. Fogel finds the balance between action and comedy which should be a difficult task for a fairly inexperienced director. David Iserson has never transferred his SNL humour onto the big screen until now either. Only its budget limits The Spy Who Dumped Me from being as slick and lavish as a Bond film. I had high hopes for this film and it delivered on almost every level. This is what a fun summer action-comedy looks like.
"Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to direct and write a smart, comical and action-packed spy movie starring two of Hollywood's hottest stars" is what the producers likely said when they called Susanna Fogel to offer her the job. I am thrilled that Fogel took this project and I am glad to report that Fogel accomplished her mission. Lionsgate gave Fogel $40 million to make this movie and she really made the most of it. From the impressive action to the countless European locations, The Spy Who Dumped Me is a jet-setting, high-energy film. Fogel's vision really shines through as the film never feels cliche, dumb or a victim of studio meddling. Fogel wants a defamed gymnast assassin as the villain? Fogel gets just that; she even fits in a fight on trapezes. Fogel wants to involve Edward Snowden in her story? Snowden is only a phone call away. Heck, Fogel even gets away with dying Mila Kunis's signature brunette hair blonde. It's rare to notice the direction in a low-brow comedy, but Fogel's (obviously positive) energy radiates onto the script, performances and cinematography. Everyone is game and I bet this was a great film to work on. Most directors would be intimidated by a film like The Spy Who Dumped Me but Fogel shows ambition and drive.
Mila Kunis is one of my favourite actresses. I'm not denying that she doesn't exactly have range, but she always delivers a warm, relatable and likeable performance. Kunis is the 'straight woman' to McKinnon's non-stop comedy. Kunis does earn a few laughs of her own though. Kunis plays Audrey, a 30-year-old woman who has just been dumped by her (secret spy) boyfriend over text. This was a simple yet genius way to involve Audrey in the spy world. As a spy, Audrey gets to lead a hilarious car chase (RIP Lukas), partake in a shootout at an Austrian cafe and hide government secrets in a very personal area. Kunis gives a committed performance; if she's willing to go blonde (she rocks it), she's willing to do pretty much anything. It would be easy for Kunis, who isn't given as many funny moments as her costar, to phone it in, but this is the type of role is where she shines. Fogel's writing establishes key characteristics of each character. For Audrey, she never finishes things and was broken up with in the most effortless way possible. Fogel's script revisits this in the film's final moments where Kunis reuses the same words from Drew's (Theroux) text in the film's most [verbally) kick-ass moment. Kunis had excellent chemistry with her (literal) partner-in-crime, Kate McKinnon and her romance with Justin Theroux's Drew sparked (despite only featuring in flashbacks). I never felt the same chemistry between Kunis and Sam Heughan though; he may have been a tool but my heart lied with Audrey and Drew.
Kate McKinnon is one of today's most reliable comedic actresses. Without fail, McKinnon always makes me laugh in whatever role she is cast in. This is possibly Kate McKinnon's biggest role yet; she is the film's main source of comedy and is not in an ensemble cast where she has to compete for laughs. For the most part, McKinnon's gags were very funny, most of them landed. McKinnon's Morgan has some great one-liners scattered throughout the film. Some of the funniest moments were when Morgan acts French, Audrey and Morgan reveal their darkest secrets in front of Nadedja (Sakhno) and Morgan's adoration for Wendy (Gillian Anderson). As a character, Morgan is a feminist and her jokes do push the boundaries, but they are never cross into social-justice-warrior territory. The jokes are nothing more than playful social commentary. Like with Audrey, Fogel's script establishes that Morgan is often criticised for her eccentric behaviour and "being too much". In the third act, Morgan's eccentricity is necessary to defeat Nadedja and she makes a great remark to Drew that is almost as great as Kunis's rendition of the infamous breakup text. McKinnon brings the humour, Kunis brings the nuance and they make a great duo.
The Spy Who Dumped Me is not a typical female comedy. The male characters play a big part too. Justin Theroux's Drew quickly transforms from a charming lover into a corrupt tool. It was a surprise to see Drew still alive after watching him die in the first act, but the script was convincing enough (a smarter twist would have made the film an even better spy flick). It was a nice touch that Drew stumbled upon Audrey unintentionally as he was actually on a mission to take out the barman (who was a terrorist group recruiter). Theroux has a few action sequences and is great. Sam Heughan may not have the best chemistry with Kunis, but his character is the film's main male force. At times he saves Kunis and McKinnon, at other times they save him. Although Heughan's Sebastian could have done with some more development, it is refreshing to see a male character in a female-centric film that is appreciated and valued. Ivanna Sakhno is excellent; she steals scenes, her weird character sends chills as soon as she appears on the screen. Sakhno has the best action sequences; her distinct look and gymnastic skills make for a really fun villain. She definitely made a much stronger impression here than she did in Pacific Rim: Uprising. In roles like this, Sakhno really excels. Gillian Anderson as Wendy is great and McKinnon's Morgan teaches the audience to admire her just as much as she does.
The budget may limit The Spy Who Dumped Me from being as grand as the latest Mission: Impossible or as refined as Paul Feig's spy-comedy Spy, but Fogel's mid-range spy romp is smart enough to be an accepted entry into the spy genre. There are many surprises throughout the film (that make sense) that are truly unexpected. From Roger being dead to Drew showing up at the last minute to Morgan's lover from Audrey's birthday also being a spy, The Spy Who Dumped Me has twists and turns around every corner. The set-up itself is a little too low-brow for The Spy Who Dumped Me to become anything more than it is, but Fogel and Iserson really do make the most of out a high-concept plot and turn it into something that is fast-paced and exciting. There are also many moments throughout that pay homage to classic spy films. Don't be fooled by its parodic title, The Spy Who Dumped Me is pretty smart.
Susanna Fogel's The Spy Who Dumped Me is far from being a Bond parody. In fact, I enjoyed it more than the most recent Bond film. Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon are given the opportunity to do what they do best and both ladies really shine. Their likeable performances are this film's beating pulse. The action sequences are more exhilarating. There are many surprising moments. The script moves at a fast-pace but does lead more to be desired in some areas. James Bond, Ethan Hunt and Jason Bourne should watch out because Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon are on the loose. Plot twist: The Spy Who Dumped Me is actually one of the smartest, funniest and most enjoyable films of the year.
Kate McKinnon is one of today's most reliable comedic actresses. Without fail, McKinnon always makes me laugh in whatever role she is cast in. This is possibly Kate McKinnon's biggest role yet; she is the film's main source of comedy and is not in an ensemble cast where she has to compete for laughs. For the most part, McKinnon's gags were very funny, most of them landed. McKinnon's Morgan has some great one-liners scattered throughout the film. Some of the funniest moments were when Morgan acts French, Audrey and Morgan reveal their darkest secrets in front of Nadedja (Sakhno) and Morgan's adoration for Wendy (Gillian Anderson). As a character, Morgan is a feminist and her jokes do push the boundaries, but they are never cross into social-justice-warrior territory. The jokes are nothing more than playful social commentary. Like with Audrey, Fogel's script establishes that Morgan is often criticised for her eccentric behaviour and "being too much". In the third act, Morgan's eccentricity is necessary to defeat Nadedja and she makes a great remark to Drew that is almost as great as Kunis's rendition of the infamous breakup text. McKinnon brings the humour, Kunis brings the nuance and they make a great duo.
The Spy Who Dumped Me is not a typical female comedy. The male characters play a big part too. Justin Theroux's Drew quickly transforms from a charming lover into a corrupt tool. It was a surprise to see Drew still alive after watching him die in the first act, but the script was convincing enough (a smarter twist would have made the film an even better spy flick). It was a nice touch that Drew stumbled upon Audrey unintentionally as he was actually on a mission to take out the barman (who was a terrorist group recruiter). Theroux has a few action sequences and is great. Sam Heughan may not have the best chemistry with Kunis, but his character is the film's main male force. At times he saves Kunis and McKinnon, at other times they save him. Although Heughan's Sebastian could have done with some more development, it is refreshing to see a male character in a female-centric film that is appreciated and valued. Ivanna Sakhno is excellent; she steals scenes, her weird character sends chills as soon as she appears on the screen. Sakhno has the best action sequences; her distinct look and gymnastic skills make for a really fun villain. She definitely made a much stronger impression here than she did in Pacific Rim: Uprising. In roles like this, Sakhno really excels. Gillian Anderson as Wendy is great and McKinnon's Morgan teaches the audience to admire her just as much as she does.
The budget may limit The Spy Who Dumped Me from being as grand as the latest Mission: Impossible or as refined as Paul Feig's spy-comedy Spy, but Fogel's mid-range spy romp is smart enough to be an accepted entry into the spy genre. There are many surprises throughout the film (that make sense) that are truly unexpected. From Roger being dead to Drew showing up at the last minute to Morgan's lover from Audrey's birthday also being a spy, The Spy Who Dumped Me has twists and turns around every corner. The set-up itself is a little too low-brow for The Spy Who Dumped Me to become anything more than it is, but Fogel and Iserson really do make the most of out a high-concept plot and turn it into something that is fast-paced and exciting. There are also many moments throughout that pay homage to classic spy films. Don't be fooled by its parodic title, The Spy Who Dumped Me is pretty smart.
Susanna Fogel's The Spy Who Dumped Me is far from being a Bond parody. In fact, I enjoyed it more than the most recent Bond film. Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon are given the opportunity to do what they do best and both ladies really shine. Their likeable performances are this film's beating pulse. The action sequences are more exhilarating. There are many surprising moments. The script moves at a fast-pace but does lead more to be desired in some areas. James Bond, Ethan Hunt and Jason Bourne should watch out because Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon are on the loose. Plot twist: The Spy Who Dumped Me is actually one of the smartest, funniest and most enjoyable films of the year.
73
/100
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