Argylle steps into the spy genre with a mix of action and comedy, and it seems to struggle to find its footing in both. It’s the new film from director Matthew Vaughn, known for his work on the Kingsman series, and it’s quirky, it’s confusing, it’s genre blending, and it’s stirring up all kinds of chatter.
Picture this. Agent Argylle, a super spy character right out of a novel, is entangled in adventures that are as wild as they are implausible. He’s dodging bullets, he’s zooming through exotic locales, and he’s living out scenes that would fit into almost any classic spy thriller. But here’s the twist: Argylle isn’t real. Oh yeah, that’s right, not real at all.
Well, sort of.
A Story Within the Story
He’s the brainchild of Elly Conway, a novelist who’s been penning his escapades. In a twist of fate, her latest book, which just hit the shelves, turns out to be a lot more than fiction. It’s sort of a meta narrative, meaning it’s a story within the story, where Conway, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, has unknowingly chronicled the real exploits of a real spy.
Again, very, very cool premise.
Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, though, Argylle throws another curveball. It turns out the line between Conway’s imagination and reality is way more blurred than ever. As the movie unfolds, we’re taken on a roller coaster ride of action, adventure, romance and comedy, all wrapped in a spy thriller package. The plot’s about as stuffed as the surprises it’s trying to blend together. It’s really just a whirlwind from start to finish.
The Train, the Spy, and the Hacker
The film kicks off with Conway on a train, brainstorming her novel’s final chapter, when suddenly she’s whisked away by a scruffy looking spy named Aidan Wilde, played by none other than Sam Rockwell. Rockwell’s character is being compared to his role in Moon, but to me it felt way more like a weird callback to his character in the much maligned Mr. Right.
He informs Conway that her books are a little too close to reality, and that’s putting her in danger from very real government agencies. But hold on, it’s not just about dodging danger. Argylle is also about a quest: a digital drive full of secrets, a trip to London, and a computer hacker. Because of course, computer hackers.
It’s a story that’s hard to keep straight, and just when you think you’re on solid ground, it shifts again. The deeper you get into the movie, the clearer it becomes that Argylle is like a narrative nesting doll, each layer sort of revealing another twist. Think Bryan Cranston channeling It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia vibes, and a plot eerily reminiscent of a popular spy cartoon.
The Book and the Movie Share a Name
The book and the movie are even more tangled. I mean real-life tangled. The real-life novel Argylle and the movie share very little more than the name. The book is a pretty straightforward spy story, while the movie spins a web of metafiction and intrigue.
Director Matthew Vaughn’s explanation is that the movie Argylle is actually based on the fourth book in the series, setting up future films and books and a very complex interplay of fiction and reality. It’s sort of a marketing thing, story inside story inside story.
Designed by a Focus Group
I’ve heard it called a movie that looks like it was designed by a focus group, and I totally understand that comparison. It’s lacking any kind of unifying vision. The characters all kind of feel superficial. It tries to walk the path of spoofy satire, kind of like Austin Powers, funny enough, but without any of the underlying passion or creativity. Argylle misses the depth and charm you’re going to find in something genre mocking like The Cabin in the Woods.
Despite all this, Argylle might still be a fit if you’re looking for something more lighthearted, especially if you’re not looking for anything too serious. It’s an attempt at something different, a blend of genres that’s ambitious, if not entirely successful.
The Pros
The pros of Argylle are few and far between, but I think they’re enough to make anyone stand up and take notice.
First, it’s kind of a stacked cast. The film is a galaxy of stars, with Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell and Henry Cavill leading the charge. The performances bring a distinct energy that at times manages to elevate the material they’re working with.
Next, it’s an intriguing concept. The idea of a novelist’s spy character coming to life, being a depiction of a real-life spy’s life, is clever and engaging. The meta narrative angle offers a fresh take on the spy genre.
Another one for the plus column: I love me some genre blending. Argylle doesn’t shy away from mixing genres. Action, adventure, romance, comedy and definitely spy thriller. For those who enjoy a little bit of everything, this film has a smorgasbord of elements.
Lastly, it’s visually engaging. No one ever said Matthew Vaughn doesn’t have style. The issue is when it’s style over substance, though, let’s be real. The film’s action sequences and set pieces, while receiving mixed reviews, provide a visually engaging experience.
The Cons
All of that said, the pros are outweighed by the somewhat lengthy list of cons.
The plot is, quite frankly, confusing as all get out. The film’s ambitious narrative becomes kind of its downfall. The regular twists and constant meta references are going to leave some audiences feeling lost, and definitely disconnected from the story.
Another con is the film’s ridiculously underutilized talent. Despite the star-studded cast, I was so disappointed that the talents of actors like Ariana DeBose, John Cena and of course Samuel L. Jackson were as underutilized as they were, with their characters lacking depth or screen time.
The film overall suffers from a hardcore lack of coherent vision. Critics argue that Argylle lacks a unified creative vision, making it feel more like a product of committee decision-making than a singular artistic endeavor, or vision if you will.
It’s also hard not to compare the movie to better films. It draws inevitable comparisons to the clearly more successful films in the genre, and not always favorably. I see it genuinely failing to deliver the comedic punch or narrative coherence of its predecessors.
Finally, that runtime, though. At nearly 140 minutes, the film’s runtime is a bit of a marathon, particularly given its convoluted plot and sometimes cartoonish physics. I, for one, would have been happy with the movie being about 20 to 30 minutes less. Twenty minutes less puts you at two hours, and that’s totally fine.
The Verdict
Argylle lands at a 6 out of 10 on the Know-It-All Index for me.
It’s a whirlwind of a film that tries to be many things, and while it might not hit its mark, it’s certainly an experience. It’s a film that struggles a lot. It has moments of brilliance thanks to its cast and unique concept, and it really struggles under the weight of its own ambitions. It’s a roller coaster of a film that some will enjoy for its sheer audacity, and others might find way too scattered to truly love.
But don’t take my word for it. Go see the film for yourself. Your mileage may vary.
What did you think about Argylle? Tell me what you liked, loved or hated about it. Keep it sincere and be respectful, because just because I didn’t look on the film favorably doesn’t mean you won’t. The conversation lives in the comments on the video above.
