Allied
Cast: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris, Simon McBurney, lizzy Caplan
Rated: 5/10
For most people who go and see a movie starring Brad Pitt, they expect something on the lines of either Mr & Mrs Smith (action-romance) or a movie like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (fantasy drama). What most of his fans would not like to see is a film which fails to impress on many levels.
First, the most glaring is the fact that there is no chemistry between Pitt and Marion Cotillard. More so since the two are supposed to be madly in love with each other. But the minute they two share the screen space — and there is a lot of it — all one sees is great performance given by very good actors sans zing.
Second, if director Robert Zemeckis was trying to recreate the magic brought out inCasablanca by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, Allied fails to even ignite a spark let alone bring a tear to your eyes.
Third, in the 21st Century, do we really want to see a love story that is based during the WWII eraIJ What most of us would want to see from that era is an out and out war movie based on on some true events. If it is a work of fiction, we all know who we would want to win in the end.
Fourth, the movie is predictable from the word go. Though the first 15-20 minutes do keep one on the edge. After that, it is all humdrum. Not good if it is supposed to be a romantic thriller. Since we have already established that there is no love and no thrill either, boredom sets in fast.
Then there is the fact that Pitt looks old. Not that there is any harm for a 50-plus man to look like one, but it would be nice if his face didn’t look so puffy. But to give me his due, he does manage to parachute his way into Morocco without a hair out of place and land up in a bar to meet his fake wife (read Cotillard) and not look out of place.
Over all, Allied has its moment despite its many lows.