by Jacob VanGundy | Published
Operation Mincemeat is a spy thriller based on true British intelligence operations from World War II. While the spy story is intriguing, and there was enough suspense to keep me watching, the film is filled with unnecessary human drama. The result is an uneven, disappointing film that doesn’t live up to its premise.
Based on Ben Macintyre’s book on history, Operation Mincemeat is about the disinformation operation of the British intelligence service. To cover up the Invasion of Sicily, British intelligence officers Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley conspired to plant false information on a corpse and wash it ashore.
In order to sell the fake soldier’s identity, an elaborate biography was created that included a fictitious boyfriend using a photo of office secretary Jean Leslie.
Period Drama Skips Spy Intrigue
Operation Mincemeat brings together the UK’s best actors, who deliver great performances across the board. Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, and Kelly Macdonald play three leads in the movie, making their characters feel real. The supporting cast also includes great actors such as Penelope Wilton, Johnny Flynn, Jason Issacs, Mark Gatiss, Paul Ritter, and Simon Russell Beale.
When I found the spycraft figure inside Operation Mincemeat which forced it to be weighed down by the drama elements of the wrong period. Much of the film’s time is devoted to the love triangle between its three main characters, which adds a layer of unnecessary personal drama that further disrupts the inherent tension of spy work.
It’s the kind of plot line that feels like it’s there to meet the expectations of a period drama, and I wasn’t surprised to find that it established the entire fabric of the film.
Spycraft Gets More Interesting
Some of the most interesting spy moments of Operation Mincemeat glossed over to give more time to its boring love triangle. Many scenes show the budding relationship between Ewen and Jean, while the head of German military intelligence discovers a plot and overlooks the undermining of the Nazi regime given one cut scene.
As a fan of spy thrillers, I can’t help but feel that the movie prioritizes the wrong aspects of its plot.
Walking fast Operation Mincemeat it also suffers because of its love triangle. What should be a suspenseful movie pauses to focus on the sub-plot of love and the enmity it creates between Ewen and Charles. With a running time of 128 minutes, it drags on too long, drawing attention to its unnecessary subplot.
Despite its shortcomings, Operation Mincemeat it has a strong story at its core and tells that story well if it isn’t fragmented. It is best if it shows the fine details of the operation and the construction of the fictional life of the soldier. With solid acting and direction, it’s well done even when the writing is lacking.
Fans of period dramas who also enjoy espionage stories will probably enjoy it Operation Mincemeat, while fans looking for a spy thriller like myself may find it disappointing. It’s a well-made film held back by one poor creative decision. You can watch the film version of one of the most intriguing spy stories in history on Netflix.
OPERATION MINCEMEAT SCORE
