Steven Soderbergh‘s “Black Bag” has been positively reviewed by critics … 97% Rotten Tomatoes 97% and 85 on Metacritic. Critics have been hungry for a good U.S. studio film, and “Black Bag” is indeed good, but also semi-forgettable. I can’t really say that I’ve been thinking much about the film since the screening I attended 10 days ago.
Hey, the film is still entertaining, has two immensely charming leads, and a strong turn from Marisa Abela (who exudes movie stardom). However, far less enthused are audiences, and I’d bet it’s because of the intricate plotting which, if you don’t follow religiously —no bathroom breaks! — can get you lost amidst the constant reshuffling and backstabbing.
Regardless, “Black Bag” has a “B” on CinemaScore which is fairly weak; the same grade bestowed upon “Mickey 17” and a slight notch above “Captain America: Brave New World” (B-). Meanwhile, RT popcorn munchers have given it a 75% rating. Posttrak scores were 75% positive and 51% definite recommend.
Now, it’s your turn. What did you think of “Black Bag”? It’s the type of mid-budget film that’s all too rare these days — auteur-driven, smartly written, and adult-oriented. Although audiences aren’t turning out for it — it’s aiming for a weak $7M debut — a new Soderbergh is always of interest in these neck of the woods.