MOVIE: Official Secrets movie finally reveals itself

THERE are many movies of late that claim to be important. 

Films with black, female or Asian casts for example. Films that tackle homelessness. Worthy causes you may argue, but a film about dropping bombs on babies, there’s a topic that deserves our attention.

‘Official Secrets’ tells the story of the illegal invasion of Iraq and more specifically the struggle of one brave whistleblower to expose a damning memo. 

The crusade led by George W Bush and Tony Blair to falsely claim that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (they didn’t), also involved a campaign to blackmail members of the United Nations to vote for the bombing. 

Katherine Gun who was working for British Intelligence at the time came across the controversial memo and leaked it. 

Gun was later arrested, charged with a breach of the official secrets act, and tried. 

Directed by Gavin Hood (‘Rendition’), the film features an excellent central performance from Keira Knightly, and a gripping story that is ultimately horrifically true. We award ‘Official Secrets’ a review score of four whistle blowing stars.        

On a lighter note is the new Disney release ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’. One for the fans, this offering has a number of structural problems with Maleficent strangely absent and not very evil. 

There’s also an odd concentration camp gassing scene that’s just weird, and an ending that is ripped straight from Game of Thrones. 

A much better fantasy adventure, this time animated, is ‘Abominable’, which tells the story of a young Yeti who escapes capture and embarks on a journey home to Everest with the help of his young human friend, Yi. 

With strong visuals, humorous moments and a touching ending, this is an enjoyable romp for both young and old. 

And finally to ‘Gemini Man’, where Will Smith faces down Will Smith in a tale of an assassin on the run from his younger clone. 

This film comes in a new form of 3D that is genuinely impressive but weirdly uncinematic. The story and plot are criminally non existent, but you might want to catch the motorbike chase that is quite spectacular. 

Paul O’Rourke