Film: The Secret Agent

This one didn't get a big release, not even after the BAFTA nod, so we had to brace ourselves for a late evening showing of a long film and hope it would keep us awake. It did, partly because of an intriguing, protracted opening scene.

We are in late 1970s Brazil, under military dictatorship, where widower Armando is on his way to his home town to be with his son. There he finds refuge with a merry band of refugees, all using aliases and protected by the formidable Dona and her network. It's not long before the film launches full-on into spy thriller territory, as we start meeting all the people Armando has made enemies of and there is a bounty on his head.

The film seems to have an equal amount of bad and good guys, and whilst nearly three hours long - it could have been half an hour shorter - there is plenty to keep you watching.

7/10