Rogue Agent movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Rogue Agent

This psychological thriller is now available exclusively on Netflix.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 55 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Based on a true story, this spy thriller is based on the extraordinary and chilling story of career conman Robert Freegard who masqueraded as an MI5 agent and fooled people into going into hiding, and the woman who fell for him, and then brought him down. You’ll be fascinated to learn that Robert Freegard was released from prison in 2009 and is still at large. I wonder if he has seen this movie!

The film was directed by both Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson. It was written by Michael Bronner and the two directors. I’ve heard there is a documentary about Robert Freegard’s crimes, but I haven’t been able to find it. Comment down below if you know what it’s called and where to watch it! Thanks!

THINGS I LIKED:

I really liked the charming James Norton in this. He has done stage plays, TV series, and films, but before all of that, he studied theology and moved to Nepal where he became interested in Buddhism.
Gemma Arterton is beautiful and believable in this role.
The director does a good job of showing you how easy it was to get lost in the twisted world of Robert Freegard.
It’s heartbreaking to watch women fall in love and give themselves to a man who only wanted to use them.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

With a name like “Rogue Agent”, most people are probably going to expect an exciting espionage movie like Jason Bourne. If so, you’ll be very disappointed. There’s not much action, so “psychological thriller” might be a better description of the movie.
Some of the details of the real story are different from what we see in the movie.
It’s very slow-moving.
It would have been fun to see what other crazy things he had done with other victims, but the focus of the movie is mainly on one main woman. (We do see a few others.)
It kind of feels like it could have been one of those Dateline episodes or a special on Netflix.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be extremely bored
Profanity and F-bombs
An unmarried couple goes at it in bed (we don’t see any action).
You see the same guy aggressively go at it with another woman (sounds, movement, and facial expressions)
Lots of alcohol, cigarettes
A woman has severe drug withdrawals
A man steals

THEMES:

Honesty
Betrayal
Love
Truth
Protecting the innocent
Why we believe exciting lies

FUNNY LINES:

None. This is a serious drama.

INTERESTING LINES:

* “You are so F-in random.” – Alice Archer (Gemma Arterton)

“Life’s about freedom.” – Robert Freegard (James Norton)

“Make hay as the sun shines, as they say.” – Robert Freegard (James Norton)
“Everyone always wants more than what’s in front of them, don’t they?” – Alice’s dad”
“You look tired.” – Andrew (Jimmy Akingbola) “You know you should never say that to a woman.” – Alice Archer (Gemma Arterton)
“Everyone has a story they want to hear.” – Ian (Rob Malone)