Smart, funny, sexy Melissa McCarthy gets the kind of role she so richly deserves in the hilarious Spy. She has just the right mix of sincerity, bubbly exuberance and kick-ass attitude to pull off the meta-spy comedy aesthetic that makes this film work. Spy maintains a fine balance between homage to the Bond genre with its technologically accoutered tuxedo lady killer hero (if anyone can summon up that Sean Connery vibe, it’s Jude Law), and a generous guffaw at its ridiculous improbabilities and conventions; while providing the requisite amount of crazy chase scenes, ridiculous disguises, double dealing and action, action, action. Not to mention the overall sense of fulfillment and well being at watching a good girl discover her badass inner self.
Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is the quintessential good girl turned CIA analyst. You know her: she’s the one who always does her homework plus extra reading. She knows a heck of a lot, and she’s very sure of her facts, but a combination of timidity and eagerness to please has her stuck behind a desk, providing the crucial support for her flamboyant and devastatingly handsome partner agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law).
Sharing in Susan’s woes is fellow desk jockey and drinking buddy Nancy (Miranda Hart), the most adorable ugly duckling of the CIA, a serious contender in the ‘most unlikely to succeed’ category. Presiding in an M-like capacity is the acerbic Allison Janney, a comic diva who can make even the most intrepid agent quake in his (or her) shoes, and Jason Statham brings his rogue charm to the mix.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the convoluted plot, just enjoy this roller coaster ride of jokes and thrills as it zooms from Bulgaria to critter infested basements and back again, with a few romantic views of Paris at night.
Paul Feig (Bridesmaids – 2011, The Heat – 2013) really gets it right this time. Everything that was wrong about the wanna-be female cop buddy film The Heat – Sandra Bullock, no chemistry between the stars, unappealing characters, giving McCarthy a role that was such a stereotypical foul-mouthed, promiscuous-because-no-one-would-ever-really-want-her fat girl – is just perfect here. McCarthy is a star, and giving her a full, juicy, role that uses her incredible range to excellent advantage is what really makes this movie work. From physical gags verging on slapstick, to comic verbal acrobatics, dimpled innocent hopes, sly intrigue, courage under fire, zany daring and quirky dignity (no one can fall off a motorcycle like this agent), Melissa McCarthy is brilliant. She even makes unrequited love look brave and amazing.
Check with me in August, but this just might be my favorite movie of the summer.
Spy (USA, 120 minutes, 2015, English, Italian, French with Hebrew subtitles)
Directed and written by Paul Feig; Cinematography: Robert Yeoman; Editing: Brent White, Melissa Bretherton; Music: Theodore Shapiro; Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney, Peter Serafinowicz, Morena Baccarin, Jude Law.
