Plot:
An introverted spy novelist, Elly Conway writes best-selling espionage novels about a secret agent named Aubrey Argylle who’s on a mission to bring down a global spy syndicate. Things take a turn when the storylines of her works begin to resemble the clandestine acts of a real-life spy organization, and the distinction between fiction and reality begins to blur.
Review:
The 2024 spy action comedy movie is directed and produced by Matthew Vaughn and written by Jason Fuchs. The movie involves an ensemble cast with studded guests/special appearances, and cameos.
Bryce Dallas Howard plays the role of Elly Conway, while Henry Cavill is seen as Agent Argylle and Louis Partridge as young Aubrey Argylle. The cast also includes Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, Sofia Boutella, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson. The film also features Rob Delaney and Jing Lusi as a love interest of Argylle. Richard E. Grant has a cameo, while Ben Daniels makes an appearance in the mid-credits scene.
The movie begins with a set-piece from Elly’s newest Argylle novel, elegantly set to Barry White’s “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything,” and includes sprightly appearances from Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, and John Cena. The recipe does seem a bit too rich, but hold on, as they just got started. It appears that the director hoped that the audience would question the artifice and chuckle at the clumsy clichés that are presented and undermined, all while subtly incorporating plot points for later. The scene turns out to be a book reading, with her fans demanding to know when the next installment will be released.
However, Elly has no clue how to end the narrative.
For the entirety of 2 hours and 19 minutes of the movie, one is mostly expected to question everything, even if bits and pieces here and there might come off as visually appealing. There are multiple reviving points in the movie. However, almost none of them are utilized to their full potential.
While one can give satisfactory points or more to the casting, acting, cinematography, and music scores, it turns out that the plot and direction shine like a diamond while just being a stone.
Rating: 2/5
In conclusion, the movie does not end up on the must-watch list. Unless you are a fan of the cast or the director, it is in no way unmissable. It is said, “No good movie is too long and no bad movie is short enough,” and you are most likely to feel that way through the 2 hours and 19 minutes of the movie. Considering all these factors, ‘Argylle’ receives a two-star rating out of five.
