Film Review #54 - Argyle (2024)

The First Impression:

The film kicks off on a confusing note, leaving me scratching my head. Yet, as we dive deeper, the cinematography shines through. The transition from medium shots to drone footage, paired with the protagonist's POV shots, actor’s medium-long shots, offers a captivating glimpse into her world. 

The Positive:

Right off the bat, the funky music in "Argyle" caught my attention. The musical soundtrack, with its ability to build tension at times, stands out as the film's strongest feature. It has this vibe that just hooks you in. The soundtrack fits well with the film's overall vibe, although it doesn't introduce any innovative elements. Moreover, The editing is sharp and on point, and the sound design is well-mixed.

The Negative:

When it comes to the narrative and visual storytelling, "Argyle" hits a rough patch. The potential is there, but the execution feels super average, hampered further by some notably faulty acting. At times, the film's scenes were so bizarrely executed that they left me in stitches, not sure whether to be amused or bemused.

However, when it comes to clothing design, things get a bit mixed. Dua Lipa's outfit? Spot-on and stylish. However, not all that glitters is gold. The costume design for the rest of the Argylle characters felt underwhelming for a spy film, too modest to match the genre's flair. I rate it as 2 out of 10.

The Mixed:

The locations and production design were pleasing but nothing extraordinary. And then there's the cat – cute, but the CGI moments felt disturbing and inconsistent, pulling me out of the experience.

The car chase scene, heavy on CGI and bordering on the absurd, had me wondering if I'd accidentally wandered into a parody / comedy rather than a spy thriller. And speaking of parodies, the film's tone is all over the place. Initially, it feels like a non-serious, laugh-out-loud spy parody. But then, the second half takes a sharp turn into a more serious exploration of Ellie's past, which, surprisingly, turned out to be somewhat watchable.

Despite these rollercoaster highs and lows, the film drags on for too long, testing my patience to the point of almost giving up on it. The use of color and black-and-white scenes, however, was a clever touch, seamlessly woven into the film's fabric.

The Conclusion:

In conclusion, "Argyle" is a mixed bag. Its unique style and moments of unexpected humor might make it a guilty pleasure for some. Yet, overall, it's a tasteless affair that left me disappointed. My verdict? A middling 5 out of 10.

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