We can never say enough that you should be wary of trailers.
For several weeks, that of “Argylle”, the new film by Matthew Vaughn (director of the successful saga “Kingsman”), has been running at full speed in French cinemas, announcing its release this Wednesday.
And every time we see it, we hold our sides: spies who look bent, extraordinary fights, a panicking novelist, gags, and a crazy cat visible on several occasions which, by his delusional attitudes invariably provoke fits of laughter in the room.
Except that this promotional teaser is a trick, not to say a scam: coming out of this confusing feature film, which plagiarizes a French classic, and above all not funny at all, we want to shout “Refund!”
» Especially since the cat so visible in the trailer disappears from the story after 40 minutes… A scam that is well worth a scratch!
“Argylle” tells the story of how a young author of James Bond-style thrillers finds herself embarked on a crazy adventure with spies who strangely resemble those she describes in her novels.
They will explain to him that his books are so “visionary” about the reality of what they experience that the major international intelligence agencies use them to plan the course of their secret operations.
For relaxation while laughing, you will have to iron
But this story, of which we only summarize the beginning, gets bogged down in so many twists and turns that we quickly no longer understand anything, and we become completely bored - all the while lasting 2h19.
As a comedy, this is more of a spy intrigue close to authors such as John Le Carré.
Yawns guaranteed for those who came to find something to relax and laugh.
Alas, there are worse things.
The heroine, whether she is at her desk writing or caught in fights between special agents, mentally projects images of the stories and characters she imagines when she constructs her stories.
Doesn’t that remind you of anything?
Yes, “Le Magnifique” of course, classic from 1973 with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jacqueline Bisset.
And who, for his part, was howling with laughter: whether it was intentional or not, this bad plagiarism does not come close to the level of Philippe de Broca's film.
We can always try to console ourselves with the performances of the actors, but that is not a given.
To the ridiculous or failed performances of Henry Cavill – Superman himself –, Bryan Cranston (hero of “Breaking Bad”) and actress and director Bryce Dallas Howard (the daughter of Ron Howard, who shines in the “Jurassic World” saga) , we prefer the rather nice one of Sam Rockwell as a clumsy spy.
Other well-known figures pass through the field, Dua Lipa, Sofia Boutella, Samuel L. Jackson… They do not raise the level.
But what a failure!
Editor's note:
1/5
“Argyll”,
spy film by Matthew Vaughn, with Bryce Dallas Howard, Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston... 2h19.