Spy (Film Review)

 Spy is one of the funniest espionage films made, plus an incredibly refreshing one—throwing the staling spy satire for a loop with new ideas both hilarious and unique.  This is Melissa McCarthy’s best comedy performance to date (St. Vincent wins for her best dramatic role); McCarthy plays desk bound CIA agent Susan Cooper, whose job is to guide fellow field agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law) throughout his dangerous missions.  The concept is hysterically unique, combining Susan’s casual (and occasionally not so casual) office workplace with Fine’s intense mission.  When every field agent’s identity is compromised however, Susan is sent instead to observe and report on a dangerous mission—as one might expect from a spy comedy, thing’s go array, and Susan becomes fully involved in a mission to prevent nuclear destruction.

Spy’s comedy is fast-paced, highly entertaining, and numerous in variety.  In one intense standoff scene between Susan and some hitmen, an oblivious man comes up to ask her “if there’s a Papa John’s around”—only to immediately flee when Susan pulls out a gun, “ohhh I’ll ask someone else!!!”  While the individual jokes are great, Spy’s best comedy comes from its wonderful character interactions between Susan and the film’s crew.  Spy contains a wonderful assortment of colorfully entertaining characters—Susan’s CIA monitor Nancy (Miranda Hart) is an entertaining combination of typical sitcom best friend placed in a dangerous espionage genre.  Hilarity ensues as Nancy starts standard conversations with Susan during an intense chase sequence or acts frantically wacky while protecting a target from a dangerous shootout (trying to hide the target underneath her coat).  Nancy’s fish-out-of-water comedy is amplified by her sincere determination to complete the job and help her partner Susan, making her one of Spy’s many likable characters, which includes the villains as well.

My favorite interactions are between McCarthy, Jason Statham, and Rose Byrne’s characters.  Statham plays field agent Rick, who goes rogue from disappointment at Susan’s assignment to the mission; Rick spends the film’s majority informing Susan about the preposterously ridiculous missions he’s survived: “I can survive 107 poisons; I know cause I had to ingest all 107 for a mission…died for five minutes before coming back to life”.  A running gag involves Rick continuously screwing up his rogue mission all while maintaining Statham’s signature composed, badass persona.  Byrne plays the heartless, “kill a minion for sneezing loudly” villain, possessing a deliciously entertaining love-hate-mostly hate relationship with Susan. SPOILERS BEGIN: In an unexpected twist Susan ends up becoming Byrne’s bodyguard, resulting in a barrage of incredibly profane, back-and forth insults between the two which had me in stiches.  By the film’s conclusion I grew attached to their very twisted frenemy relationship. SPOILERS END

Spy’s storyline is noticeably complex and thought out, taking itself serious enough to rise above the Austin Powers’ lunacy, yet still have its share of goofy, ridiculous scenes; such structure enhances the film’s absurd scenes to further hilarious levels.  The film’s most impressive aspect is how it’s as much a subtle character development story as an espionage comedy—showing the modest, semi-dependent Susan grow into a full-fledged, confident field agent.  Great character development, colorful characters and a ton of sidesplitting comedy—frankly I would love to see a sequel made!  Spy is entertaining throughout, a refreshing change of pace to the espionage satires, and a prime contender for best comedy of 2015.