As a movie enthusiast with a penchant for international cinema and a soft spot for spy thrillers, I found myself intrigued by the premise of “The Agency.” The blend of psychology and espionage is an interesting twist that piqued my curiosity. However, the 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes has raised some eyebrows.
It appears that “The Agency” deviates from the typical formula of spy thrillers, sparking a fair amount of discussion. While some critics praise it as “deeply engaging” and “one of the year’s best character studies”, its score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at 46%. So, it seems you’ll need to decide for yourself whether you’d like to watch this new Richard Gere and Michael Fassbender series.
The Agency,” as you know, is an adaptation of Eric Rochant’s French series “The Bureau”; in its American version, this fresh take delves into the personal and psychological struggles experienced by CIA agents when they grapple with the challenges of a profession that demands constant lying, evasion, and putting one’s life on the line.
Let’s trace back the origin of that figure by examining the comments made by critics online regarding the series so far, shall we?
What Are Critics Saying About ‘The Agency’ And Why Is Its RT Score Only 45%?
In the publication named Variety, reviewer Aramide Tinubu described Fassbender as both sharp and stoic. He further noted that The Agency explores something distinct from its peers – the inner workings of its characters’ minds. Tinubu pointed out that typically, secret agents and spies are portrayed as cool, sexually attractive individuals who remain unaffected by the perilous nature of their jobs. However, according to Tinubu, The Agency penetrates this superficial image.
At The Hollywood Reporter, Daniel Fienberg noted that the show possesses several strengths. The cast exudes scholarly proficiency, while the scripts occasionally match their intellect. Initially directed by Joe Wright, the series boasts a stunning visual appeal and even manages to create tension at times. However, it falls short in maintaining consistency. Each of the three episodes viewed by critics presents distinct qualities and unique areas of annoyance, culminating in an overall sense of dissatisfaction.
At The Daily Beast, Nick Schager described the series as both a “well-crafted, suspenseful drama” and one of the year’s top picks, albeit with a song selection in an early episode that was somewhat predictable. Meanwhile, Zaki Hasan from TheWrap found it to be filled with tired tropes.
The New York Times’ Margaret Lyons put it thusly:
Michael Fassbender’s captivating acting steals the show, offering viewers a glimpse into the complexities of loving a deceiver. It’s challenging to discern his true intentions, as it seems many of his emotional scenes are merely part of the larger deception. An engaging counterpart emerges in the form of the agency’s therapist, played by Harriet Sansom Harris, with whom he must regularly meet due to the difficulties of readjusting to normal life after years spent undercover. The subplots for secondary and tertiary characters appear somewhat disjointed. However, overall, the production is sleek and undeniably sophisticated in its style.
To conclude, Joel Keller from Decider offers a concise assessment of The Agency: “It’s overused to say something is ‘less than the sum of its parts’, but it fittingly describes this show. With an outstanding cast and a thoughtful aesthetic, it seems more introspective than typical spy thrillers. However, after watching the first episode, we were left pondering why there weren’t more engaging stories.
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2024-11-30 08:31