Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre – a movie review by Alex First
A rollicking, globe-trotting actioner, director and co-writer Guy Ritchie has a lot of fun and keeps things moving in Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre (ruse of war).
He’s developed the script with two co-writers with whom he has worked on his past three films, Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies.
Twenty-six security guards have been murdered in Odessa, and a shadowy UK intelligence organisation is trying to track down who is behind the raid.
An item called The Handle has been stolen, but neither the agency nor the team of operatives engaged to find it, knows exactly what the object is.
What they do understand is that it carries a price tag of US$10 billion.
The recruiter, Norman (Eddie Marsan), calls in Nathan Jasmine (Cary Elwes) to assemble a crack team.
Jasmine’s first choice isn’t the easiest man to work with, but he is someone in whom he has total faith, namely Orson Fortune (Jason Statham).
Fortune’s choice of sidekick, Mike (Peter Ferdinando), is not available, so in comes US cyber-tech whiz Sarah Fidel (Audrey Plaza).
And to complete the triumvirate, there is up-and-coming JJ Davies (Bugzy Malone), a master a communications, weaponry and driving.
The trio aren’t the only ones looking to claim the prize.
The mission leads them to international billionaire arms dealer Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant).
He’s not just your regulation villain. He is obsessed with movie stars and one in particular, namely Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett).
Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre sees Ritchie reunited with both Statham (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Revolver and Wrath of Man) and Hugh Grant (The Gentleman).
The movie has a plentiful supply of thrills and good humour.
It follows a tried-and-true formula, which Ritchie does better than most.
It is not his most sophisticated work, but it is easy to watch, escapist fare.
Hugh Grant, who made such an impact in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentleman (2019), revels in his role as an unscrupulous, wealthy, sleazy business broker.
Jason Statham does what he does so well and is noted for – crackheads and making things happen.
Aubrey Plaza impresses as the intelligent femme fatale, always at the ready with the quick retort.
Josh Hartnett capitalises on his deliberately awkward role as a feted Hollywood star caught way out of his depth.
Cary Elwes eschews dignified composure as the operation director, while Eddie Marsan is perfectly cast as the government agency head who needs answers.
The film looks good (as do all Guy Ritchie films). Cinematographer Alan Stewart had a good canvas to work with.
Composer Christopher Benstead ratchets up the tension with an exhilarating score.
Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre kept me involved and entertained throughout.
Rated M, it scores a 7½ out of 10. Running time 114 minutes
