Unnecessary twists, turns mar ‘Argylle’

Tinashe Kusema

Film Review

“REGRET for time wasted is more wasted time.”

This could very well be my new all-time favourite quote and it comes from the esteemed Bryan Cranston in the spy-comedy “Argylle”.

Simplicity and truth are what makes this quote unique. In the days since coming across it, I have used every opportunity I get to sneak it into my day-to-day conversation.

Quote aside, “Argylle” happens to be one of the overhyped movies of 2024. However, it is a disappointment.

The movie is extremely flawed with its excessive runtime (129 minutes) and a convoluted plot that has one too many twists.

The film follows a famous author Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), who seems to have a knack for predicting real-world political events in the spy novels she writes.

Her latest project follows her main character Agent Argylle (brought to life by Henry Cavill) tracking down a flash drive that contains the names of double agents embedded in the Central Intelligence Agency.

As she tries to wrap up the chapters of her new book, a real undercover spy by the name of Aiden (Sam Rockwell) saves her life on a train.

It is then revealed that secret, covert forces are conspiring to capture her and force her to complete her story

What ensues is a cat-and-mouse game as Conway and Aiden try to evade capture by a slew of dangerous assassins and government agents, all the while trying to unravel the location of the flash drive.

The story is both funny and thrilling but falters when writer Jason Fuchs throws in one too many twists, turns and shocking revelations.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the actual film, I must reiterate that the hype surrounding the release of this movie is very much misplaced.

However, this is not to say the movie is all bad.

For one, the film has a great cast, a star-studded ensemble, with Howard and Rockwell supported by the likes of Cranston (Ritter), Cavill (Argylle), Samuel L. Jackson (Alfie), John Cena (Wyatt) and Dua Lipa (LaGrange).

They all play their roles well and never at one time step on each other’s toes.

Rockwell is the real scene-stealer as he carries much of the film’s action and comedic beats.

There is a long-running theory that the 55-year-old American actor has a dance clause in every film he signs up for.

This is the only reasonable explanation as to why he dances in every movie he is in.

Usually, it is a highlight but the two Rockwell-inspired dance breaks in the movie do not land as well as they might have been expected.

In one breath, the dance routines are wildly entertaining and prove that the film does not take itself way too seriously.

Unfortunately, the dances are so wild and carefree that they shock the viewer back to reality.

Howard also does her part in matching Rockwell’s energy and star power, while the likes of Cavill, Cena, Lipa and Jackson bless the film with their mere presence.

Getting all these big names and stars together is a merit that needs to be celebrated.

The film’s biggest weakness is, unfortunately, one of the things I cannot get into detail about, and that happens to be the numerous twists and turns.

The first twist makes sense and moves the film’s plot forward.

However, the next five or six (exaggeration for effect) come off as the writers inject them in for the sake of it.

This ruins what could have been an otherwise passable movie.