How 'Slow Horses' Redefines Spy Movie Ideas
Miscellaneous / / April 23, 2022
The series combines comedy with drama, and also pleases a famous actor in a very unusual way.
Slow Horses, based on the book of the same name by Mick Herron, premieres on Apple TV+ on April 1st. This author has written a whole series of spy novels about the most boring secret service department of MI5. Appeared before release informationSlow Horses release date: Cast, trailer and latest news for Gary Oldman drama / RadioTimesthat Apple TV+ immediately conceived a sequel based on the second book in the Dead Lions series.
But so far, the platform has released six episodes of the first season. And they turned out to be very witty: the series makes fun of typical spy plots, and at the same time it reveals the main characters in a funny and touching way at the same time.
It's James Bond in reverse
MI5 counterintelligence officer River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) makes a mistake while on a mission at the airport and catches an innocent person, missing the terrorist. As a result, an explosion occurs and hundreds of people die.
In fact, River participated in a training mission and no one died, and another employee was to blame for the error. But the agent is still punished: he is sent to the Slow Horses department (the name Slow Horses beats their location Slough House).
Here, the most inept employees perform routine work: digging through papers, or even in the garbage of suspects. Even worse, they are led by the completely obnoxious and very unpleasant Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who is rude to his subordinates and directly says that he is waiting for them to be fired. However, it is the “Slow Horses” who will turn out to be the main participants in the political cause and prove that they are also capable of much.
When it comes to spy movies, most viewers immediately imagine super agents like James Bond, Jason Bourne or Ethan Hunt. But after all, each of them always had a lot of helpers. The same people who sit in offices and do boring work.
If you look at modern films and TV shows, it’s hard not to notice the trend that more and more often the authors give such inconspicuous characters a chance to speak. Even in the famous franchise "Star way”appeared the animated series“ Lower Decks ”, which, by the way, reveals the unsightly moments of a fantastic story well.
The trend could not help but get to spy stories. But the creators of "Slow Horses" went even further, showing not just office clerks, but the worst employees of the agency. Indeed, in every large organization there are employees who really do not know how to do anything and literally sit out their pants.
Therefore, it is surprising that after a couple of episodes the series still turns into an interesting detective story. Alas, it cannot be said that it is twisted like "Bodyguardor similar political thrillers. However, it has enough intrigue and unexpected plot twists. Moreover, the characters here sometimes resemble the heroes of the films of the Coen brothers - any tough agent, journalist or terrorist can simply be an idiot. This again adds vitality to the story, and at the same time just entertains.
This is The Office, but about spies
Of course, when it comes to MI5 and other special services, you immediately have to mention Bond. But in fact, "Slow Horses" is more reasonable to compare not with action-adventure films, but, for example, with the TV series "Office».
And this is not a far-fetched analogy. A significant part of the action is just devoted to the disclosure of the employees of the department and their communication. River works alongside elderly secretary Katherine (Saskia Reeves), programmer Roddy (Christopher Chan) and the rest of the Slow Horses. And at first it seems that all of them are not too warm to each other. But over the course of the series, the characters become closer.
More importantly, the authors reveal the past of some of the characters, explaining how they ended up in such an ugly job. And as a result, the characters, who at first seem to be comical masks, soon turn into full-fledged dramatic figures.
So the personal experiences of each of the "Slow Horses" here are perhaps even more significant than the main plot. And their endless dialogues will certainly disperse into quotes.
This is the most unusual image of Gary Oldman
For the famous British actor, in whose piggy bank there is "Oscar”, “Golden Globe”, BAFTA and a dozen smaller awards, “Slow Horses” became the first permanent role on television. And we can immediately say that in the next award season of Oldman's series, he will probably be mentioned more than once.
The actor has already played a secret agent in the film "Spy get out». But there he appeared in his usual image of an intelligent and educated professional. "Slow Horses" reverses Gary Oldman's style. His Jackson Lamb deserves to be on the list of the most unpleasant on-screen bosses for several reasons.
The actor was created a repulsive image: this is a flabby man with perpetually greasy hair, who dresses sloppily and puts his feet in holey socks on the table. He behaves disgustingly with his subordinates: he makes them perform meaningless tasks without even explaining why, and constantly reminds them that they are of no use.
But surprisingly, Oldman manages to remain charming, and his jokes often sound funny. And gradually the hero begins to arouse sympathy at all. After all, this is what people look like who are disappointed in themselves and take out their anger on others.
"Slow Horses" perfectly combines elements of a spy movie and a comedy drama about losers. The parts of the plot complement each other, preventing the series from slipping into excessive grotesque. There is a place for both jokes and serious feelings. And in six episodes, the main characters already seem like old acquaintances. So, the authors have achieved their goal.
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