Critics can be brutal whether you’re talking music, books, or movies. I usually don’t pay much attention to them and before seeing Argyle, I didn’t bother to check it’s Rotten Tomatoes rating.
To be honest, I hadn’t heard of the movie or all of the intrigue behind the book with the same titles, author. I had just awoke from a nap after a brutal 30 hours of colonoscopy prep which resulted in possibly the worst migraine I have ever had, so I was just eager to get out of the house. The trailer looked fun, my tired wife agreed to a 9:30 PM show, and off we went.
The theatre was mostly empty. It aways saddens me to see this. It can be expected when you attend a show near the end of it’s run, but it was opening weekend for the film and the cast alone drew intrigue for us.
First of all, we are at the best theatre in Hamilton – Landmark Theatres. There aren’t many mall theatres left in general unfortunately, but this one also has reclinging leather seats and dedicated cupholders for each. Even when you are lying horizontal, people walking by don’t get in the way. There is no need to get up, or adjust your legs so they can squeeze by. Why all theatres haven’t gone this route is beyond me because once you’ve laid back, there is no going back.
The popcorn is buttery, the snacks hit the spot, and they serve alcohol although on this occasion, the procedure I had done earlier in the day meant I had to lay off the booze and Mary Jane for the night.
My wife and I both agree that we could watch previews for hours, and the sneak-peaks at One Love and Frozen Empire had us anticipating future trips to the theatre.
The lights dim. The sound nob is cranked up, and the show is about to begin.
Argylle kicks off treating Superman fans with a quick dose of Henry Cavill, followed by the stunning Dua Lipa, and the charming and funny hulk, John Cena. From there, the movie cuts to our main character, the beautiful Bryce Dallas Howard, and the hilarious Catharine O-Hara.
When we do meet Sam Rockwell, we don’t recognize him at first, but it’s a funny first introduction between him and Alfie (Chip), the cat. I mean his cute smooshy face is almost worth the price of admission alone.
The movie is fast-paced with lot’s of twist and turns. There are ridiculous dance scenes which provide for a smile and many giggles, hold your breath moments, as well as ‘I didn’t see that coming surprises.
If you’re comparing every movie to the Sistine Chapel, even a mind blow of a thriller like Babylon, get’s a kick in the teeth, but if we look at pure entertainment value, we not only left feeling like we didn’t wast a cent, but we laughed and were eager for more fun adventures with these characters.
The entire cast is amazing, each perfect within their roles. I wouldn’t change a thing. As for the length, I enjoy these two-plus hour escapes. The director had a lot to say, and I wanted to hear it all and then some.
I was surprised to read the films ratings the next day and well, it sent me on a journey to why. For me, the why is hogwash, but the why not is full of intrigue.
First, there was a book released last month under the same title. There had been an Instagram account set up last year by the books author, Elly Conway, and from there a passionate and curious fanbase started to grow, with many believing that Elly was a pen name used by Taylor Swift. Who is the author?
Second, is the story of why director Matthew Vaughn made this film. It was inspired both after watching films like Romanncing the Stone with his daughter during the COVID lockdowns, and her asking why he wasn’t making a film like that.
“At the time I thought the world was bleak and my instinct was that it’s gonna get bleaker. So, I was thinking, ‘My God this is a bleak world but that film made me feel happier’. And when I went outside, the blue sky made me feel happier. And I just said to myself, ‘I want to make a ray of sunshine in a dark world’. And that was the whole aim of this movie. It was to be entertaining, fun, and escapism for two hours.” Cited from Short List
There is also the fact that the cast themselves had a lot of fun making Argylle. It was touching to hear how John Cena and Dua Lipa enjoyed being together again in a film. You can hear the cast talk a bit more about their experiences with the film below.
The soundtrack for the film is great too, from a beautiful score by Lorne Balfe (Mission Impossible, Gran Turismo, Black Adam), with a little Arianna DeBose, Boy George, and Nile Rodgers thrown in. Lorne and Adam Price also composed an even eerier version of The Beatles latest release, Now and Then, which has a fun storyline in the film all of it’s own. There is a story about this song being used too, relating to the fact that the track was just recently released to the world.
So take the critics assessment of this movie with a grain of salt, and remember why this film was made in the first place – to bring blue skies, into a bleak world.
Thanks for the sunshine, Argyle.