Page Eight (2011)

title: Page Eight
directed by: David Hare
written by: David Hare
photography by: Martin Ruhe
music by: Paul Englishby
edited by: Jinx Godfrey
cast: Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz, Tom Hughes
imdb

We already know that BBC is synonym of quality, sobriety (maybe sometimes excessive) and precious careful work. But despite this, it still surprises you to see works like Page Eight, this wonderful "little" telemovie about the British Government and the MI5 (the British secret service).

The story is quite simple: a member from the MI5, Johnny Worricker, learns something that could damage the government after the death of a friend, who happens to be his chief. This spy is portrayed by Bill Nighy, who you may remember, among other roles, for playing the singer of the hit single "Christmas is all around", Billie Mack, in the delicious Love Actually. At the same time, he begins a friendship (or something more?) with his neighbor, Nancy Pierpan (played by Rachel Weisz), who happens to be a leftist activist.

As in almost all BBC production, everything from technical to artistic aspects can only be described as perfect; photography, music, art direction... everything is perfect. And it all depends on the screenplay and the direction to establish if we are working about an average work or a great one. This, thanks to David Hare, writer and director of Page Eight, falls on the second half.

At some points it remembered me the beginning of the wonderful The Constant Gardener (where both Rachel Weisz and Ralph Fiennes -who plays the Prime Minister here- star). At others, it seemed a classic spy movie.

Don't be fooled by Page Eight being a telemovie, this is a small big movie.