The second movie in David Hare's Johnny Worricker trilogy. Loose-limbed spy Johnny Worricker, last seen whistleblowing at MI5 in Page Eight, has a new life. He is hiding out in Ray-Bans on the Caribbean islands of the title, eating lobster and calling himself Tom Eliot (he’s a poet at heart). We’re drawn into his world and his predicament when Christopher Walken strolls in as a shadowy American who claims to know Johnny. The encounter forces him into the company of some ambiguous American businessmen who claim to be on the islands for a conference on the global financial crisis. When one of them falls in the sea, their financial PR seems to know more than she's letting on. Worricker soon learns the extent of their shady activities and he must act quickly to survive when links to British prime minister Alec Beasley come to light.
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I had no idea this was a follow up to the movie "Page Eight". But I did remember that I had seen a movie with Bill Nighy in a similar role. Well it's actually the same role (there's also a follow up to this movie, though I haven't seen this and cannot comment on who's in that one obviously). I really liked Page Eight and I like this one too, though apparently not as much as the first one.It's spy business but also a very tricky, who's who, who's doing what to who and why'd they do it? It may sound more complicated than it actually is. The pace is nice and it's really refreshing to see Wynona Ryder in a good role (doesn't seem to have changed a lot). Actually all the actors involved do a great job. More than decent entertaining than ...
I had not seen the original Worricker film 'Page Eight' but having enjoyed Bill Nighy's work in other things I decided to give this a go.As a well crafted piece of television drama this is as good as it gets. From the tight script to the almost dream cast you don't see everyday in television drama's this is quality in amongst a schedule full of rubbish. It's a crying shame this got buried on a Thursday night on BBC 2. Nighy as ever is brilliant. If you thought you'd seen every sort of spy then watch this because Nighy is so at ease in this role. The only negative point is that if you want a big explosion heavy spy thriller then look somewhere else because this is not that. Here people talk about the state of the world, go for walks, talk a bit and then talk some more. The action is minimal. I admire many aspects of this drama but I feel that 90 minutes of build up to a very small amount of action unfufilling. I enjoyed the follow up 'Salting The Battlefield' far more.
When we last saw Johnny Worricker (Bill Nighy) he was standing at the airport wondering where to go next. He ended up in the Turks and Caicos, a Caribbean island not far from the coast of Florida and which seems to attract dicey businessmen with funny money.Our renegade hero is soon clocked by Curtis Pelissier (Christopher Walken) who is CIA and is investigating a group of people who ripped off the US government during the war on terror. However one of the group, a loud mouthed right winger is murdered.Into the mix arrives a smooth UK businessman who is good friends with the British Prime Minister and his assistant Margot Tyrrell (Helena Bonham Carter) who used to be a spy and close to Johnny.Pelissier ropes in Johnny to snare these people which also includes a vulnerable hanger on Melanie Fall (Winona Ryder) but Johnny is unsure how far he can trust Pelissier.With the sunshine in a Caribbean island and murder, I thought I was watching Death in Paradise for a moment! The locale and supremely fine acting makes this a really satisfying adventure. Because of the location shooting this zips along better than the others in the trilogy.Walken and Ryder are the standouts here. Writer David Hare expressed his admiration of Walken the Shakespearean actor and here we see what he can do without a gun in his hand or pulling psycho faces. We know Pelissier is clever and astute but does he have his own agenda?Ryder was a rising star of the 1990s but her career hit the skids by the end of the decade and it is only in the last few years she has become prominent again. This has been her best role for years where she balances vulnerability and strength. She has a good rapport with Bill Nighy.Ralph Fiennes shows up briefly for just one scene but that is because this middle film sets Johnny up with unfinished business with the Prime Minister.
As some will know this is a follow-on to a previous BBC drama called 'Page Eight'You definitely do not need to have seen the first drama to understand or appreciate this drama.... However if you have it will help to understand a few of the plot lines in this drama... Namely... A better understanding as to why the lead is forced into working with the CIA operative and also one of the last scenes between the lead and his ex -girlfriend before they try to escape...In addition it will also help with understanding the lead character himself and his motivations.... However I am sure anyone watching this without seeing the first drama will have no trouble enjoying and appreciating this quality work...Overall it is a great piece of drama with a well written story and believe able characters... It isn't a Bondesque or other type of action spy drama and nor is it a John LeCarre type spy story.... But it is a great drama which allows you to get into the story and keeps you interested in the development of the characters and how they react to the evolving storyline...I am pleased that a second film was made.. And if I am honest I do hope that a third is made with Bill Nighy.... I really enjoy his character and his gentlemanly methods and firm principles in an ever changing world....
