Truth is, I had almost no interest in watching this film. I just thought it was going to be sluggishly paced British spy drama that would leave me cold. But iTunes/Apple had it for 99 cents so I finally rented it (to watch later). Twenty days later, and I finally broke down and gave it a shot. So that’s an auspicious intro.

The Courier is the true story of a 1960s Cold War spy. Benedict Cumberbatch plays a British businessman with no connection to the CIA, MI6, or anyone in government… so the perfect courier to pick up intel from an undercover spy in the Soviet Union and deliver it to the West.

If you like your spy movies with a proper British stiff upper lip, then this might be the movie for you. It certainly lived up to much of my prejudice about it… it is kind of sluggish and overly mannered. My prediction – and my baggage going in – was right.

But the movie isn’t without its merits. I can see the drama mechanically chugging on and sometimes it was engaging. The acting is fine and Cumberbatch does his thing as all his fans love him for it. I imagine this is a fairly accurate depiction of the actual events including all the morally gray parts (that’s a good thing).

But just not really my bag in the long run. There are some serious-minded spy flicks I do like but this just wasn’t quite there for me. Your results may vary….

Score: 72