Keira Knightley stars in a film fit to burst with political controversies, legal battles and a question of morality that leaves the audience questioning their moral stance…
For many, seeing Keira Knightley acting in a modern day setting might be shocking enough, but for those who were previously unaware of the gravity of the situation that surrounds this film are guaranteed to leave questioning everything.
Keira Knightley (Pride and Prejudice, Love Actually) plays Katharine Gun, a translator who works at GCHQ and receives an email asking the British government to help spy on the United Nations ‘swing members’ in order to influence a vote, approving the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Following her instinct and moral compass, Gun finds a way to leak the email to the press, where journalist Martin Bright, played by Matt Smith (Doctor Who, The Crown), who works at The Observer, manages to publish the article, exposing the US and UK governments.
The story of Katharine Gun is often undervalued, and seeing her act of bravery brought to life on the big screen is satisfying to say the least.
The nature of this political drama would have been hard to approach, but director Gavin Hood (Ender’s Game, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) expertly incorporates the tense and nail-biting drama, with the more emotional and vulnerable aspects of Gun’s story.
As the audience, we are morally inclined to agree with Katherine Gun’s actions, and Hood uses this to his advantage, showing the consequences of her actions in one of the most emotional scenes, which sees her husband become at risk of deportation.
Hood interweaves the film with real-life footage of Tony Blair, George W Bush and film from the 2003 invasion of Iraq, reminding us that these events were all based upon real life, driving the impact of the story home.
Hailed for its accuracy on the real life events, those who were unfamiliar with the whole story will surely be equally startled as they are upset as the events that unfold before their eyes.
Knightley and Smith shine in this political drama as two people fighting for public knowledge, and despite a slow start, the nature of the story will keep your heart beating in anticipation as it moves towards its climax.
By Faith Pring
Feature image credit: Evening Standard