Relay is a return to smarter thrillers. Produced & directed by David Mackenzie & written by Justin Piasecki.
Handsome Riz Ahmed is an almost mute lead, alongside Lily James, & a super cranky Sam Worthington.
Relay had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last September, while getting its theatrical release last Thursday.
Now the last few films I have seen, have been mega average. So it was refreshing to finally see something with a bit of bite. Something fresh. Not a reboot, sequel or idea that has been done to death!
So what's Relay all about? We head to New York City, Ash (Ahmed) is a secretive fixer, serving as an intermediary between whistleblowers and corrupt companies. He brokers a payoff on behalf of Hoffman, forcing the CEO of his former employer Optimo to meet his client face to face. Hoffman gives the CEO his incriminating documents, but warns that the anonymous Ash has a copy to guarantee his safety.
In disguise nearby, Ash ensures Hoffman safely boards a train out of the city, and adds the copy to his secure collection of client material at a warehouse in Newark.
We briefly get an idea of Ash's services before meet, whistleblower Sarah Grant meets with an attorney and is referred to Ash, who maintains anonymity by using a telecommunications device for the deaf to communicate exclusively via relay service.
Targeted by Cybo Sementis Research Institutes, who are covering up side effects of their genetically modified wheat, Sarah planned to go public with the damning report but is now desperate to return the documents and escape the company's campaign of intimidation. She is under surveillance by a professional counterintelligence team led by Dawson, who trace Ash's call to the Tri-State Relay Service but are legally blocked, as no call records or logs are kept.
No spoilers here as there are a few twists and turns along the way.
Riz Ahmed is excellent in the lead, whilst this story felt fresh and relevent.
I enjoyed this, with the almost two hour running time whizzing by. The pre-show entertainment, not sure. How many ad's, trailers could Hoyts pop in last night. Damn!
This was a solid film, 4 Stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment