Between 1990 and 1993 Finnish filmmaker Renny Harlin directed back-to-back action-packed blockbuster hits “Die Hard 2” and “Cliffhanger”. In between the two films he produced the critically acclaimed award-winning indie “Rambling Rose”. Needless to say Harlin’s star was rising. But then came his 1995 pirate swashbuckler “Cutthroat Island”. It was a movie hampered by a troubled production that included several delays, numerous rewrites, friction on the set, and a budget that skyrocketed.
“Cutthroat Island” was a box office disaster and Harlin’s career took a hit as a result. To his credit, he has steadily worked since that unfortunate setback. Not on big budget or what you might call mainstream projects. But he’s still doing what he loves – making movies. His latest is “The Bricklayer”, an action thriller based on Paul Lindsay’s 2010 novel of the same name.
Written for the screen by Hanna Weg and Matt Johnson, “The Bricklayer” plays a lot like a prototypical spy flick but with an edge. It features secret agents, undercover missions, a rogue asset, a global conspiracy, and so on. But Harlin infuses his film with grittier action and much less spy movie gloss. It doesn’t cover the film’s noticeable blemishes, but it does make it reasonably entertaining for those with their expectations in the right place.
Image Courtesy of Vertical
The film stars Aaron Eckhart, a talented veteran actor deserving of a lot better roles than he tends to get. Here he plays Steve Vail, a grizzled and understandably hardened CIA field agent who enjoys classical jazz and has a special affection for masonry. Despite being effective in the field, the disillusioned Vail has found himself persona non grata at the agency. That is until a certain event in Thessaloniki, Greece forces the CIA to come calling.
We learn that three international journalists have been murdered within a month, the latest being a German reporter who happens to be an outspoken critic of U.S. intelligence activities across the world. The murder gives rise to theories that the CIA is behind the killings. At CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, a young and devoted agent, Kate Bannon (Nina Dobrev) makes an alarming discovery when scouring over surveillance footage from Greece.
Kate identifies Victor Radek (Clifton Collins Jr.) among the images from a Thessaloniki metro station. Radek was a former covert CIA operative who went rogue before supposedly dying 18 months ago. His one-time handler and close friend was Steve Vail. Kate and her boss, Director O’Malley (Tim Blake Nelson) fly to Philadelphia and meet with Vail. Believing Radek is killing journalists and framing the CIA, O’Malley sends Vail and Kate on a non-sanctioned mission to track down and apprehend Vail’s old friend.
From there it almost appears that the story is going to lean on that well-worn dynamic between the gruff seasoned agent and the young inexperienced rookie. It’s certainly an element to the story and Eckhart and Dobrev sell it well. But thankfully it’s not something Harlin dwells on. Instead he whisks us away to a series of gorgeous Greek locales, introducing us to a number of key players along the way. Most are mere archetypes rather than well-rounded characters, yet they service the story well.
Image Courtesy of Vertical
As for the story, it moves at a fairly rapid pace and holds your interest throughout. But all-in-all it’s a pretty conventional spy tale that’s helped along by a number of obvious conveniences. It’s also hampered by some glaringly corny dialogue (“I never do a job without my tools.” “Cryin’ is dyin’ kid.” Or “I was born on a Tuesday but not last Tuesday.”). Even more, the film’s central conflict doesn’t quite create a sense of peril nor does it raise the stakes to the degree needed for this kind of story.
As for the performances, Eckhart once again makes for a sturdy lead and Dobrev is a solid foil. Some of the supporting turns are a little shakier. I’m a huge Tim Blake Nelson fan, but his super-serious monotone delivery is borderline comical. As for Collins Jr., he makes for a serviceable but not especially interesting antagonist. He doesn’t quite bring gravitas or relay his character’s convictions in a compelling way.
Yet despite its flaws “The Bricklayer” remains a moderately fun spy film in large part due to Harlin’s propulsive direction and Eckhart’s vigorous lead performance. The action is exciting, highlighted by some well choreographed and intensely brutal fight sequences. And even though the script stumbles in spots, it’s entertaining enough and holds your attention. That may not sound like a ringing endorsement, but it’s more than I can say for some of the more heralded films from the last year. “The Bricklayer” releases January 5th in select theaters and on VOD.
