DEFENCE OF THE REALM (1985) **1/2 British film-makers want the world to know that the American government isn't the only one that's gone to hell. It has the feel of a well considered spy novel, fewer plot holes than most (or real life), and there's even a brief and witty homage to John le Carré. David Drury puts it together precisely, integrating music that's interesting, funky, and even appropriate for the time. Gabriel Byrne is convincing in the lead role and manages to take us with him (maybe a few of the clues will be obvious for Scorpios, but I followed along at the right pace), right up until the end when he springs his mastermindedness in all of its full glory. The performances around the periphery are also impressive; well, Denholm Elliott's even better than that; including Ian Bannen and Greta Scacchi (whose character surely could have afforded a dye job that left fewer and less varied roots showing). It doesn't break any new ground, and it won't leave you feeling much different than when you went in, but it's well done and it does have a moral. Moral? In this enlightened age you can still get the government but, whether you do or not, they're going to get you. It's just a matter of how quickly.
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