Official Secrets (2019)
Dir: Gavin Hood

Official Secrets is a somewhat political drama mystery set in 2003 where a British intelligence specialist leaks top secret information to the press regarding the Iraq war.

Personally i'm not a huge fan of films that are outright political dramas like this one, about the press and the media. Although I did quite enjoy this one, despite it falling flat quite a few times. This film does an incredibly good job of telling the story how it should be told, packed full of relevant information of the deception throughout the government. Although, I found that it struggled to get an actual emotional response from me personally. This film didn't really make me feel anything, I was just kind of 'meh' when the film ended. Official Secrets was definitely gripping, as we see the main character fighting with her own morals whilst receiving the fallout from her actions in the government, and with this being based on real events it can sometimes be quite difficult to pull off.

I'd say my only serious flaw with this film was Keira Knightley. I don't have anything against her but all of her characters just feel the same to me, and there's no real distinguishable characteristics for any of her characters to me. I feel as though you could just swap and change her characters from film to film and they'd still be the same character.

Overall this film was pretty good, but personally it's not one that I would choose to rewatch as it seems once you've seen this film, there's nothing particularly gripping or prominent enough to make you watch to come back for more. I'd definitely recommend this film to anyone with an interest in political drama, or more specifically the British government in the early 00s.

This movie is for people like Jameela Jamil who said she was too busy learning about social justice to pay attention to ‘history’ like the Iraq war. Also, it’s for people who don’t know USA and UK are fat, ugly, arrogant, narcissistic warmongers. _“We have a right to intervene in the Balkans. We should do the same in Iraq.”_ – that’s the American and British way, biggest criminals on this planet, somehow, have the right to intervene in sovereign countries.

There’s nothing apparent bad about the film but there’s also nothing to make it memorable or creative. It’s basically overly dramatic take on the story of Katherine Gun, an event that didn't change anything. [spoiler]She was charged with a crime and then the prosecutor dropped the case. That's the whole story. No suspense. The most interesting new information in this is the content of the memo itself and the spell check fiasco, all of which happened in the first 30 minutes. Everything after that it just about Katharine and her husband, which isn't particularly interesting.[/spoiler]

The rest of the characters include veeery idealistic defense attorney and journalists. So there are no colorful characters in this cast. [spoiler]And why on Earth does this movie end with two male side characters talking about their friendship?[/spoiler]

I guess moral of the story is all wars need a few lies to get going. But hey, Ellen DeGeneres said it’s okay that she's besties with George Bush, so who am I to say that Bush and Toni Blair should rightfully be rotting in the Hague.

‘Official Secrets’ is an odd duck of a film. As much as it never quite finds its groove, it’s still an often thrilling and genuinely entertaining film, profiling an important figure in the movement against the Iraq War. Even after all this time, it’s still a shock to realise how thoroughly we were lied to, and a film like ‘Official Secrets’ - even with its flaws - at least makes sure that we’re reminded of those lies for the future. It’s just a pity the film itself never finds the energy to really propel itself towards something great. It probably would have made a terrific miniseries, but as it stands, ‘Official Secrets’ is a befuddling yet gripping attempt at a political thriller.
- Daniel Lammin

Read Daniel's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-official-secrets-exposing-lies-at-a-time-of-war

Official Secrets leaks its thrills and political deceit through an accurate whistleblowing docudrama. Governments. A democratic selection of individuals to govern a nation with the public’s best interest taken into consideration. Providing foreign communications, budget monitoring and defensive security. Essentially, attempting to make the country more sustainable for its future endeavours. Yet, here we are in the UK, squabbling endlessly over Brexit for months on end with not one single MP physically listening to the voices of the nation. A recurring distractive technique that acts as a vivid reminder of the toxic deceit that the Blair/Bush administration fabricated. Illegally, might I add.

The 2003 Iraq Invasion was a preventable war. An unnecessary crime against humanity. Hood’s docudrama prompts us to relive the political agendas of socialist manipulation, by recounting GCHQ employee Katharine Gun’s life, but more specifically her intent on preventing a war. She leaked a sensitive memo that would expose illegal spy operations by the United States, as Bush attempted to blackmail the UN Security Council into voting for a war he deemed was inevitable. The deaths of millions of Iraqis, military forces and other officials as a result of his dictatorial administration. “Bush’s World” states the placards of London protests. Their blood, on his hands. And whilst the recounting of Gun’s “traitor”-like behaviour is formally structured as with most mechanically inclined political thrillers, Hood manages to competently evoke an emotional response.

See, not all films have to be entertaining. Not all films have to include fictionalised strands for the sake of mainstream enjoyment. Films can be informative. And most of all, they can make you feel. Perhaps the most microscopic output of wonderment or fear. But Official Secrets is another beast. Official Secrets categorically boiled my blood. Shaking my head in disbelief by the events that happened, the overwhelming sense of betrayal flooded my soul. “9/11” was the most dreadful terrorist attack to ever take place. Fact. But Bush’s response was questionable at best, and the events depicted here act as a window into the political deceit that unfolded. Socialist propaganda. I shan’t force my own political viewpoints through, but suffice to say I loathe the Iraq Invasion with a passion. Quite frankly, it was disgusting.

Hood maintains a semi-neutral perspective throughout, allowing audiences to question Gun’s motives as either inspiring or traitorous. Knightley commands every scene with a touch of naivety that progressed Gun into being a representative of the people. Fully acknowledging the infringement the Official Secrets Act, she took it upon herself to clear her conscious. Incredibly inspiring, and well documented by Hood who intricately ramped up the tension when required. Smith, portraying a reporter from The Observer, managed to break away from his infamous sci-fi character and delivered a nuanced yet emergent performance. Fiennes, Ifans and Goode also leading the charge for the excellent British cast.

The Bernstein’s screenplay was tight, taut and tense. Many scenes, particularly when Gun is questioned by Scotland Yard detectives, evoked pure morality and bravery through the concise vocabulary used. Frequently referring to the governmental lies bestowed upon the nation. The various narrative time shifts did produce some inconsistent pacing, but manages to efficiently smooth out the wrinkles shortly afterwards.

Hood never cloaks the story. He attacked Labour’s political agenda head on, without inferring his own perspective. By simply documenting the events, he has created one of the best thrillers of the year that really must be watched. There are no secrets left to hide anymore.