TIFF - Review of Page Eight

Review - 3.5 out of 5

This is a story of an MI5 agent that is given a document which indicates there are people at top levels that are aware of the Americans torturing people for information.

This is a political thriller. Bill Nighy does an amazing job as Johnny Worricker, the MI5 agent trying to find out the truth before it is covered up. The movie keeps you on your feet as Johnny figures out who he can trust. At the same time, he reveals parts of himself which shows how he became the person he is today.

In the Q&A the director/writer David Hare noted the following:

• Movie was made in 5 weeks with a budget of $3 million
• It is well known that it takes about 7 years for a film to be made. In Britain, a made for tv movie can be ready for production in 6 months. The director indicated he was 60 and after looking at the actuarial tables he decided it was a better idea for him to go the made for tv route. He says this is a made for tv movie that is really a film.
• He was able to get such an all star cast (Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon and Judy Davis) because of who he is. Everyone has worked with him and when they found out he had written a play that he was going to direct they all came out to help.
• Nighy and Hare have worked together approximately 7 times over their career. The part was written with him in mind. 
• There is talk of a sequel for this movie.

I was able to take some pictures with my blackberry but I was at the back so they are not the best. Bill Nighy is delightful and worth seeing in person. This was the second showing of the film and I was impressed that both of them came out for the movie to do the Q&A.