Eye In The Sky – Film Review by Emily Elphinstone

Director: Gavin Hood
Writer: Guy Hibbert (screenplay)
Stars: Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman

In recent years there have been a number of films targeting the tricky subject of modern ‘remote warfare’; but few do this as successfully as thriller Eye in the Sky. Starring Helen Mirren as Colonel Katherine Powell, and an all-star ensemble cast including Aaron Paul, Barkhad Abdi (Oscar nominated for his role in Captain Phillips), and the late, great, Alan Rickman; Eye in the Sky tells the story of joint British-American operation codenamed Egret. Starting out as a mission to capture some of East Africa’s most wanted terrorists (including radicalised British and American citizens) circumstances quickly become complicated, when surveillance footage reveals that the targets are preparing for a suicide bombing.

In an international story with panoramic scope; Colonel Powell coordinates the action from an army base in England, drone pilot Steve Watts (Paul) operates out of Las Vegas, operative Jama Farah (Abdi) is on the ground in Kenya, and Lt. General Frank Benson (Rickman) is in a Whitehall office, taking politicians through, and seeking approval for the action.

With a screenplay by Guy Hibbert, ‘Eye in the Sky’ is refreshingly sparing with backstory; creating the full picture without need for padding. Instead, the film focuses solely on one operation, and characters are merely professionals doing their job; though specifics reveal genuine humanity, and a certain level of humour.

With incredible attention to detail, it is left up to the audience to decide their own opinion of the complex moral issues. Opposing views are provided by the many military and political figures involved in approving a drone strike, and it is clear there are no easy decisions. This is where what could be a pure thriller draws on elements of farce; showing the absurdity of modern warfare. Layers of bureaucracy constantly ‘refer up’ rather than making their own decisions, fearing legal repercussions or (in our Wikileaks generation) backlash if such information were to appear on youtube; and it is clear that nothing is taken lightly.

What starts slowly and thoughtfully, builds to keep the audience gripped throughout; and ends with a speech from Alan Rickman, which is some of his best work in recent years. Director Gavin Hood has created a film which balances the entertaining with the thought provoking, and with a subject matter utterly relevant to current events. ‘Eye in the Sky’ is bound to stay with the audience long after the credits roll.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZeVSdKtQVY