DALLAS — Isn't it refreshing to not have a Taylor Swift entertainment story!
So, no, she did not write "Argyle" as some Swiftie conspirators suggest.
Why do they suggest it? The star of the movie is a Scottish Fold cat, like the ones she owns. The cat actually belongs to director Matthew Vaughn's daughter. The story goes, he hired a professional cat that did not take direction well, so he scooped up his family pet (minus the kitty litter), and the rest is Hollywood history.
The cat known as "Alfie" in the movie does reluctantly share screen time with stars Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell. Howard's character is a spy novelist whose lead character is 'Argylle' (Henry Cavill). She takes a train ride after her latest book is published, only to be saved from an ambush of gunfire by Rockwell, an actual spy.
It turns out that novel of hers hits a little too close to home for a certain espionage group, and they want to wipe her out. There are twists and turns as the story plays out in England and France.
Together, she and Sam try to thwart the operation with flashes to Cavill, mirroring Sam's moves. And they're backed by a terrific ensemble cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, Bryan Cranston, John Cena, Catherine O'Hara, Dua Lipa and Ariana DeBose.
Sounds entertaining, and it is! The problem is that over and over thing. It grows a little tedious, and it also grows long at nearly 2 hours 20 minutes.
The movie does feature two of the funniest action scenes I've seen in a while. And sparks fly, too. Yah, this is a bit of a rom-com. But, as the expression goes, less is more, and “Argyle” would have been much more effective with a tighter cut.
So, who wrote the screenplay? Jason Fuchs, who co-wrote "Wonder Woman." Meow.
(Universal Pictures. Rated PG-13. Running Time 2 hrs. 19 mins. In Theaters Only)
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