I'm a sucker for this kind of genre-inclusive thriller that fills space between politics, legality, courtrooms, history, war (or, really, any hot topic), and an all-star cast. Just this year we've had several, from the CIA Torture Report to the DuPont chemical poisoning, and though we don't really have a unique name for this genre, I'm always happy to dive in. Gavin Hood's addition to this genre, Official Secrets, isn't as dazzling as others this year, and feels more workmanly than cinematic, but manages to remain engaging, thrilling, and as entertaining as you could hope for.
This time, we jump across the pond to learn about -- if we don't already know -- Katharine Gun, the British whistleblower who leaked "official secrets" to the press. Though whistleblowing in the age of Edward Snowden and the much-publicized whistleblower who paved the way to President Trump's impeachment might seem glamorous and explicit, Gun's case is remarkably quiet. In the course of her job -- translating British intelligence memos from Mandarin to English -- she discovered an illegal attempt by US intelligence to spy on several UN officials in an attempt to predict and influence their decision to invade Iraq in 2003. She turned herself in rather shortly after her leak, and after some intense scrutiny leading up to her trial, the prosecution suddenly dropped the case with no explicit reason.
The reason, of course, was that the government was punishing someone for trying to stop an internationally illegal war of aggression and a trial would have uncovered highly embarrassing information from the US, Britain, and presumably other major powers. To save face, keep certain information secret, and ensure reputations were maintained, the prosecution no doubt bowed to pressures internal and external, choosing to hide behind a facade of "national security" as their defense. Infuriating as the story is, it's also a remarkably uncinematic one, because the buildup leads to an anti-climax, where Gun, on display during her defense, is suddenly and unexpectedly told she is free to leave after the prosecution fails to submit any evidence.
Much like The Report and Dark Waters this year, truth is strange but often deeply unjust, and therefore unsatisfying. Nothing big happens as a result of this mess. The main character spends so much time, effort, and anxiety to vindicate herself and bring the system to account for its criminality, and succeeds only to a small extent. The institution still stands, the systems remain in place, and we're left with the sinking feeling that all this will happen again. And while Official Secrets doesn't feature as intense or cohesive a story as others of its ilk this year, it features a stripped-down Keira Knightley doing her usual fabulous thing among a stellar cast and some sharp timely dialogue. At one point early on she screams at Tony Blair on the television, "Just because you're Prime Minister doesn't mean you get to make up your own facts!" I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry.
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