`Spy Game`, Saving A CIA Colleague from Chinese Prison

Would it be possible to save a captured colleague in China within 24 hours sitting at an office in Washington?

In `Spy Game`, director Tony Scott shows that such strange and wild idea of `long-distance rescue` might just be possible.

Muir (Robert Redford) only has one day left in his 30 year- career as a CIA agent, and receives a phone call from Hong Kong. He hears that his former subordinate agent Bishop (Brad Pitt) is captured in China and is to be executed within 24 hours.

As CIA authorities question Muir about his relationship with Bishop and details of their activities together, Muir realizes that CIA is to give up on Bishop considering that it is diplomatically delicate time period between the U.S. and China.

While testifying to authorities, Muir begins to plan out Bishop’s rescue operation.

It may seem completely impossible, but he manages to settle it with a few phone calls, a couple of satellite photographs, and one false document. Director Scott is challenging the viewers into a `game`, as on the title.

In the process of testifying, the movie reflects on the two men’s 30 year-long friendship throughout the international sphere of operations beginning from the Vietnam War in 1975 to U.S., China, Germany, and Lebanon.

Muir discovers Bishop’s innate spying talents in early stage, and teaches him every single detail of being an agent. Gum, pocketknife, and facial expressions are indispensable, cigarette is a must when starting conversations, never forget places and people’s outfits once seen, start analyzing as soon as things are visual, etc… It is quite interesting to watch the world of spies. Viewers can also see some operations of the U.S. CIA agents in third-world nations while Cold War was at its height.

Muir tells his favorite `assistant marksman` about the most important rule. It is to save money for late stages of life, and never spend it for others. Muir, however, breaks that rule himself.

Redford, who has shown a disappointing performance in the previous production `Last Castle`, shows off his great image and performance once again in the movie. Appearing mostly in the reflection scenes, Brad Pitt recalls the images of Redford in his younger life. Release Date: 15th. Rating: Above 15.

Sue-Jean Kang sjkang@donga.com