Number Station features
some very high-level performances from John Cusack and Malin Akerman. The movie
makes good use of its environment, delivering fun shoot-outs in enclosed areas.
Most of the time, we’re watching just the two leads, John Cusack and Malin Akerman,
but they manage to keep you engaged and awake as you eagerly wait for the movie
to end.
Number Station is
a British-American thriller that doesn’t rely on intense car chases or a bunch
of men slugging it out. Instead, it’s about a guy letting his critical thinking
get the best of him and a woman who chose the wrong career. The film’s slower
pace might not appeal to everyone, but it does create a sense of tension that
builds gradually.
The story
follows disgraced CIA black ops agent Emerson Kent (John Cusack), who is
reassigned to protect a code operator (Malin Åkerman) at a secret American
numbers station after failing to kill a witness during an operation. This setup
feels a bit clichéd, but the actors make it work.
Before they
start their shift at the station, they discover it has been compromised. The
previous shift’s crew has been killed, and 15 numbers have been sent out to
other black ops agents to carry out missions. The stakes feel real, even if the
execution isn’t always gripping.
Emerson and the
code operator stumble upon recordings captured during the attack on the
station. These recordings help them piece together what happened, but they’re
still trapped inside. With unauthorized codes sent out, they must find a way to
cancel them and escape alive. The confined setting adds to the tension, though
the plot sometimes drags.
I wouldn’t
rate Number Station highly, as the plot feels dry and it’s hard to
like. While the leads are top-notch, the screenplay isn’t. That said, the movie
boasts some fun cinematography, and the directing is good enough to deserve a
mention.
After over 100
minutes of screen time, I can confidently say this isn’t a movie for the
cinemas, nor is it one I’d look back on and feel glad I watched. It simply
wasn’t worth the time I invested.
That said, it’s
rare and almost surprising that John Cusack ends up being the best thing a
movie has to offer, but here he is. His acting is well done, his mannerisms fit
the role perfectly, and overall, he delivers a solid performance. Malin Akerman
also holds her own, though her character feels underdeveloped.
The Number Station is not a must-see. If you haven’t seen it yet, consider yourself lucky. It’s a forgettable thriller that doesn’t quite live up to its potential, despite the efforts of its talented cast.
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