Allied is a gripping, emotional and ultimately powerful drama-thriller that features strong performances by Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) and written by Steven Knight (Locke), this old-school World War II tale isn’t the most innovative or groundbreaking film, but it’s a solidly entertaining piece of filmmaking.
Pitt and Cotillard star as two Allied spies who fall in love while on an assassination mission in Casablanca. After moving to London and starting a family, Pitt’s character is informed that his wife may in fact be a German spy, and if she is, he will have to execute her.
Every marriage has its hardships.
Pitt and Cotillard are terrific, their chemistry electric. The film breathes with their energy, every scene sizzling with sex appeal, lust and love. Zemeckis’ patient approach to the story, his willingness to develop their relationship without rushing to the film’s pivot point, pays off—he allows the actors to work their magic, and work it they do.
After a spot-on first act set in Morocco, Allied does lose a bit of steam as it goes through the motions—marriage, a baby, all that boring stuff—as the film prepares for its tension-filled third act. The movie is never truly thrilling—Zemeckis, whether intentional or not, refuses to ratchet up the excitement factor, a decision that keeps Allied from reaching greater heights—but it keeps you guessing, wondering what the truth is and what the outcome may be.
And the outcome is (spoiler, maybe?) a tear jerker.
Allied suffers from a slightly weak middle act and a pace that never entirely picks up, but it’s still an engaging, sometimes enthralling thriller that features some truly terrific moments and great performances by its two leads.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.