Creative people usually have a lot of imagination, and often they let it run riot. But what happens when an author’s fictional stories, heroes, and villains suddenly become real? That’s what we experience in Matthew Vaughn’s latest action hit: ARGYLLE.
WHO IS ARGYLLE?
Argylle is a super spy á la James Bond. Even though he’s seemingly invincible, he can always rely on his loyal partners Wyatt and Keira in dangerous situations. So far, so good.
Because; Argylle is actually just a character in a novel created by the author Elly Conway who is now experiencing exactly what we initially questioned. The stories from her novels get real.
To reveal more about the Argylle story would be to spoil too much. So, this time, let’s focus on the characters, actors, and, of course, Matthew Vaughn, as well as our review.
A QUICK FLASHBACK
Film fans, especially those who love the 80s movies, could be reminded through Argylle on Romancing the Stone. Here, Kathleen Turner plays the nerdy writer Joan Wilder. Having never left her desk before, she suddenly experiences real life and adventures, just like the stories in her novels. On her side is the daredevil Jack T. Colton, played by Michael Douglas.
ELLY CONWAY A.K.A. BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD
Argylle author Elly Conway also suddenly and unexpectedly plunges from one risky adventure to the next one. She has to ask herself what is fiction and what reality.
Elly is played by Bryce Dallas Howard, who was born to a large family of actors. She is the daughter of actor and filmmaker Ron Howard, who brought many great films to the screen. These include blockbusters like A Beautiful Mind or Solo: A Star Wars Story, to name just two. Her mother, Cheryl, is an author. Therefore, it shouldn’t have been difficult for Bryce to get into her role.
The Los Angeles-born artist played a tiny role for her father in the film Apollo 13 when she was just 14 years old. Ron Howard also let her gain experience in front of the camera in “A Beautiful Mind.” Luckily, things progressed rapidly then. So, Bryce appeared in films like The Village, Spider-Man 3, and Terminator Salvation. However, most of you will know the actress from the Jurassic World trilogy. Here, she played the park’s manager alongside Chris Pratt.
AIDAN WILDE A.K.A. SAM ROCKWELL
Like Joan Wilder in Romancing the Stone, Elly also must confide in a stranger, Aidan Wilde. Aidan doesn’t correspond to Elly’s ideal of a superhero at all.
Nevertheless, Aidan’s manner reminds her of the fictional character Argylle she created. Sam Rockwell slips perfectly into the role of the flippant protector. Like in many roles, Rockwell also gives Aidan something mischievous, light, and relaxed. We quickly become sympathetic to his character in Argylle. He is approachable and extremely entertaining.
Sam has been in front of the camera since 1989. Back then, he played in the horror film Clownhouse. Since then, he has appeared in over 85 movies and almost 20 TV productions. Moreover, you can also see him on Broadway. Most recently, he performed in the play American Buffalo at the Circle in the Square Theater.
One of his most successful films is Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017). For his role as a racist police officer, Rockwell received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was also nominated for an Oscar for his role as George W. Bush in Vice (2018).
Actually, Sam can play anything. However, he is particularly great in comedies such as Galaxy Quest (1999), Jojo Rabbit (2019), and See How They Run (2022). Besides, in Moon, he showed with an intense and moving performance that he also can entertain us almost entirely alone for almost 100 minutes.
In Argylle, Sam Rockwell is now turning things up a notch. We’ve never seen him in action like this before.
AGENT ARGYLLE A.K.A. HENRY CAVILL
Argylle is the title character in Elly’s books. He’s a super spy straight out of a comic book. Furthermore, he’s available as an action figure and in the form of many other merchandising items. However, can he master his latest adventure?
You know Henry Cavill as the face of the Dunhill brand and, of course, as Superman. However, he will no longer slip into the cape of the hero from the planet Krypton in the future. Unfortunately, DC parted ways with him some time ago. You also know Henry from the two Netflix Enola Holmes movies as well as Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
KEIRA A.K.A. ARIANA DEBOSE & WYATT A.K.A. JOHN CENA
At Argylle’s side are his loyal friends. On the one hand, there is the spirited Keira. Due to her computer skills, she considers herself the new Steve Jobs. And on the other hand, there is the extremely strong Wyatt, who especially loves Greek coffee.
John Cena portrays the gigantic Wyatt. Of course, as a former wrestler, he easily lifts the pretty Dua Lipa out of the motorcycle saddle in Argylle. We know John from many action films and comedies, such as F9 and Fast X, The Suicide Squad, Barbie, and many more.
Ariana DeBose, who plays the sassy Keira in Argylle, was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2022. Ariana’s career began on Broadway, where she appeared in several musicals. That was good preparation for her first film roles.
These include the Netflix film musical production The Prom (2020) and the Apple TV+ musical Schmigadoon! (2021-23). Ariana experienced her breakthrough in the role of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s remake of the film musical West Side Story (2021).
For this, she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Besides, she voiced the sweet Asha in Disney’s Wish this winter.
RITTER A.K.A. BRYAN CRANSTON
The arch-villain in the film is Ritter, played by Bryan Cranston. Ritter is a real creep who doesn’t spare even his team. He is used to getting what he wants. And he’ll kill everyone for it. Bryan Cranston, who plays the villain in Argylle, will be particularly familiar to series fans. He became famous worldwide for his roles in Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle. Additionally, he received many awards and an Oscar nomination.
RUTH CONWAY A.K.A. CATHERINE O’HARA
Ruth isn’t only Elly’s mother but also her harshest critic. At least when it comes to the stories in the Argylle book series. Ruth supports Elly with advice and support so that the story can develop sensibly.
The entire world knows Catherine Anne O’Hara. Because in 1990, she played probably one of the most famous mother roles of all time. Namely, Kate McCallister in the Christmas classic Home Alone. Two years earlier, she starred alongside young Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and Jeffrey Jones in Tim Burton’s horror comedy Beetlejuice, which will be continued soon after 36 years.
ALFRED SOLOMON A.K.A. SAMUEL L. JACKSON
Matthew Vaughn remains loyal to his friends even in Argylle. He already worked with Samuel L. Jackson in Kingsman: The Secret Service. Back then, Jackson played the villain. But now, his character Alfred Solomon is the head of a top-secret service intelligence department. Did Elly unconsciously give her beloved cat Alfie his name as a tribute to Solomon?
Samuel L. Jackson has also appeared in countless films, which he shaped with his outstanding talent and charisma. His international career started late. He was already 40 when he played a small supporting role in Coming to America alongside Eddy Murphy and Arsenio Hall.
Later, in Jurassic Park, he appeared at the age of 45 as Chief Engineer Ray Arnold. Jackson shows us that age doesn’t matter. And he still looks damn good today, at the age of 75.
He played many great characters. However, of course, in Pulp Fiction he showed one of his best performances. Here, he plays the gangster Jules Winnfield, who doubts what he is doing. His performance also made Die Hard with a Vengeance the best film in the franchise. Unfortunately, it can – and should – no longer be continued without Bruce Willis since he suffers from a harsh disease called frontotemporal dementia.
Jackson has impressed us in every film, including Argylle, even though his role in this film is rather small.
SOFIA BOUTELLA: SABA AL-BADR
The Algerian multi-talent Sofia Boutella also has a short appearance again in Argylle. She already worked with Matthew Vaughn in Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Sofia started her career as a dancer. Because of her fascinating appearance, modeling jobs didn’t take long. Aged twenty, so 22 years ago, Sofia began her film career. However, it really took off in 2014 with Kingsman. Then came films like Star Trek Beyond and The Mummy with Tom Cruise. She also starred in David Leitch’s Atomic Blonde alongside Charlize Theron and James McAvoy, to name a few.
ARGYLLE SHORTS
Other brief appearances in Argylle include Richard E. Grant (Fowler), Rob Delaney (Powell), and Jing Lusi (Li Na). After Barbie, Dua Lipa also shows us in Argylle that she can not only rock the big concert stage but also fascinate us on the big screen.
ARGYLLE REVIEW
As mentioned at the beginning, we don’t want to reveal much about the story this time so as not to take away your anticipation and excitement. Because Argylle thrives on many twists. In typical Matthew Vaughn fashion, things are fast-paced from the first minute. You will be shaken back and forth by the action and the many twists and turns in the story. Nothing ends up being what it seems at the beginning. It’s just fun, entertaining and exciting.
SAM ROCKWELL ROCKS
All actors act well. Sam Rockwell, however, plays brilliantly. His manner, gestures, and body language are unique. So, he makes us smile even without words and creates a good feeling, during and after the film. Bryce Dallas Howard also keeps up with Rockwell. She entertains us very convincingly and shows completely new sides of her skills.
THE PICTURES & MUSIC
Argylle also delights, but that’s what we’re used to from Matthew Vaughn, with powerful and colorful images. The music pulls us along and creates a great atmosphere.
Certainly, some will discuss the stylized depiction of violence in some scenes. Especially in times when the world shows us its fragility. However, the violence in the film Argylle – as is also typical of Matthew Vaughn movies – is satirized to the point of excess. It’s a comedy that was filmed before all the unrest that is currently threatening the world broke out.
Anyway, it’s also good to just laugh again, not take everything too seriously, forget about everyday life outside the theatre, and have pure fun. The film also has a “hidden” message that puts our everyday lives to the test. Thus, think about the meaning of the saying, the greater the spy the bigger the lie. Well, got it? 😉
CONCLUSION
Argylle is terrific and funny without being silly or pushing the boundaries of good taste. Without any hang-ups, we are thoroughly entertained for over 140 minutes. The film is fun. Moreover, its story and images invite us to go to the cinema a second time. This way, we can finally realize all the details and Easter eggs that we may have missed the first time due to the fast-paced action.
We give Argylle 8 points and think a sequel will come soon.
TEXT: Marco Kokkot
Film Pictures: Universal Pictures, Apple Original Films 2024.
Premiere Pictures: John Phillips (Blue) and Eamonn M. McCormack (Yellow Carpet)/Getty Images for Universal Pictures.
All Rights Reserved.
