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Between voluminous drags, Skarsgards Philip is complaining about his wifes bitter reaction to discovering his infidelity.
Sorry, he says, almost embarrassed by his own wanting.
I like it, she smirks.
Their relationship is enviable to the vipers around them, until Kathryns name appears on Philips list.
Any broader themes are gestured at, not explored.
Its pure star power, delicious without an ounce of anything superfluous.
Black Bagmay be an espionage movie, but the screenplay by David Koepp isnt propelled by spycraft.
Instead, the spycraft is propelled by the emotional and lust-fueled entanglements of its cast.
Each performance is pitch-perfect.
Burke is gregarious, his charm carrying a touch of sliminess.
Rege-Jean Page has venom in his smile.
But its Harris and Abela who impressed me most.
And Marisa Abela, Id seen you before but I wasnt familiar with your game.
Youre bold and bruising, with a mask-off ferocity that brings out the vitality of any scene partner.
As cinematographer, Soderbergh is slick but never sterile.
George and Kathryn are devoted to each other, and each other only.
What ultimately cinches the dynamics ofBlack Bagis the chemistry between Fassbender and Blanchett.
Individually, they are refined, glamorous.
Together, theyre intimidatingly, pornographically so.
Its more than compounded beauty and charisma, though.
This is a matter of complementary craft; of two great listeners and communicators bringing rapture to every gesture.
She brings warmth to his rigidity, his gaze renders her even more awe-inspiring.
A great star is both enlivening and aspirational, gracefully human and superhuman.
In this way, Fassbender and Blanchett run circles around any younger set of stars recently anointed into Hollywood.
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