The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018) - USA
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
In the case of toning down the level of intelligence is probably a certainty in the unlikely spy buddy comedy duo of Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon. To be fair the pairing of Kunis and McKinnon is probably the only thing worth watching as the film drags and rely on the random R-rated violence and killings to keep the audience in the loop. Director Susanna Fogel tries to blend in too much elements into one as she weaves through comedy, relationship problems, sisterhood, potential new flame, murders and killings all in the midst of a spy thriller plot line as well. The result is an aimless and mixed bag.
Mila Kunis performs well in-spite of the uninspiring material on hand as she made the most of a largely native character that gets thrown into an International spy operation. McKinnon does a great job in balancing humour and friendship and ends up providing most of the film’s comic moments. However, the male supporting love interest and counterparts (Sam Heughan and Justin Theroux) remains the film weak points. Russian killer assassin Ivanna Sakhno gives a short memorable performance.
All in all, this is an under-baked film that is extremely average and easily 30 minutes too long. If not for the entertaining interactions of the two female leads, the film would easily not survive a cinematic cut. We have seen these kind of movies many times and if not for the female version of cliches, it may well have sank before it started. We deserve better.
I rated it 5.5/10