{"id":6884,"date":"2021-03-19T05:27:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-19T12:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=6884"},"modified":"2021-03-28T13:08:55","modified_gmt":"2021-03-28T20:08:55","slug":"the-courier-never-stop-fighting-for-what-you-believe-in-no-matter-who-tells-you-otherwise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2021\/the-courier-never-stop-fighting-for-what-you-believe-in-no-matter-who-tells-you-otherwise\/","title":{"rendered":"The Courier * Never Stop Fighting For What You Believe In, No Matter Who Tells You Otherwise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The true story of a British businessman unwittingly recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. Forming an unlikely partnership with a Soviet officer hoping to prevent a nuclear confrontation, the two men work together to provide the crucial intelligence used to defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Josephine M. comments, \u201cI absolutely love the movie The Courier <\/em>directed by Dominic Cooke. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of an issue by means of clues, investigation, and clever deduction.\u201d Maica N. adds, \u201cThe message of The Courier<\/em> is to never stop fighting for what you believe in, no matter who tries to tell you otherwise. Oleg knew that he would be arrested and executed if he got caught learning and transporting information about the attack. Greville knew that leaving Oleg to take all the fault and retribution wasn\u2019t the right thing to do. Everyone told them that these weren\u2019t good ideas and that they would be in too deep.\u201d See their full reviews below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Courier
By Josephine M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I absolutely love the movie\u00a0The Courier\u00a0<\/em>directed by Dominic Cooke. It focuses on the efforts of the detective, private investigator or amateur sleuth to solve the mysterious circumstances of an issue by means of clues, investigation, and clever deduction. I really enjoyed watching\u00a0The Courier, <\/em>and, as my first time watching a true-life spy thriller, I found it very interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Courier <\/em>is a true-life spy thriller, the story of an unassuming British businessman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) recruited into one of the greatest international conflicts in history. At the behest of the United Kingdom’s MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), Greville forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a slow-burning film about the friendship that then blossoms between these two men as they routinely risk their lives for the greater good.\u00a0 There\u2019s an earnest, well-intentioned message about wider political change starting on a smaller scale, too. It\u2019s a timely concept, but the underdeveloped bond between Greville and Alex failed to grab me with quite the force that the filmmakers intended, given where the plot takes them and us.\u00a0Greville Wynne is my favorite character because he is a hero, and a humble one at that. Although the thrills and intrigue of his story aren\u2019t that remarkable, it\u2019s the time he spends in a Russian prison accused of spying for the West that sets him back. \u00a0Greville Wayne is perfect for the mission: He\u2019s fleet but not flashy, charming but not memorable, and dependable but unremarkable in every way. \u00a0Benedict Cumberbatch proves yet again he\u2019s a star, and Merab Ninidze is equally brilliant at his Russian counterpart. That\u2019s not always an easy balance to strike, but it makes\u00a0The Courier\u00a0<\/em>incredibly entertaining while not losing sight of the real people who risked their lives in the Cold War. It\u2019s definitely worth checking out, and I can see it catching on with audiences. The production design, costumes and cinematography are on point and very well executed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This film tells the kind of true story that filmmakers crave, the kind that exists on the periphery of a major historical event, switching its focus to a more human angle. Its closest sibling would be Spielberg\u2019s Bridge of Spies<\/em>. The story at its center is a fascinating one that theatre director Dominic Cooke steers credibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I give The Courier<\/em> 4 out of 5 stars and recommend this thriller movie for ages 13 to 18, plus adults. The Courier<\/em> will be available on Netflix beginning Friday, March 19, 2021.  Save the date!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Courier
Maica N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, Age 13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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