Movie: Our Kind of Traitor

Our Kind of Traitor:  a John leCarre story.   This time the focus is on the Russian mob.   A British college professor, Perry (Ewan McGregor), and his British barrister girlfriend, Gail (Naomie Harris), are vacationing in Marrakech.  During dinner, Gail receives a business call and leaves the table to handle the matter.  A diner at a neighboring table asks Perry to join him and his male friends.  Perry accepts the offer.  We learn that the diner, Dima (Stellan Skarsgard), is a Russian gangster who is in charge of the Mob’s entire European money laundering operation.  We also learn that Dima fears for his life and the life of his family.  Unbeknownst to Perry, he is being recruited into a scheme whereby Dima and his family hope to relocate to England in exchange for Dima’s disclosure of details about certain British politicians who have been bought by the Mob.  During the course of this 107-minute film, Perry and Gail become intertwined with Dima, his family and British M6.   The M6 contact, played by Damian Lewis, is not a likable character.  It is Skarsgard’s performance that drives the film.  Susanna White is the director.  Although there are some gaps in the screenplay, the excellent acting nicely compensates.   This very adult film is entertaining and worth seeing.  It is within the expectation of what one hopes a John leCarre story will deliver.  If you are not a leCarre fan, this movie is not for you.  There are a few short, violent scenes.  There are also some beautiful  shots of the French Alps.  I enjoyed this movie.