The Operative (film)

The Operative is an 2019 internationally co-produced thriller film, written and directed by Israeli filmmaker Yuval Adler, based on the Hebrew novel The English Teacher (המורה לאנגלית) by Yiftach Reicher-Atir,[3] a former intelligence officer.[4] It stars Diane Kruger, Martin Freeman and Cas Anvar.

The Operative
Directed byYuval Adler
Produced by
  • Anne Carey
  • Jonathan Doweck
  • Viola Fügen
  • Michael Weber
Written byYuval Adler
Based onThe English Teacher
by Yiftach Reicher-Atir
Starring
Music byFrank Ilfman
CinematographyKolja Brandt
Edited byHansjörg Weißbrich
Production
companies
  • Black Bear Pictures
  • Match Factory Productions
  • Spiro Films
  • Archer Gray Productions
  • Le Pacte
  • Mountain Trail Films
Distributed byVertical Entertainment
Release date
  • February 10, 2019 (2019-02-10) (Berlinale)
  • August 2, 2019 (2019-08-02) (United States)
Running time
120 minutes
Country
  • France
  • Germany
  • Israel
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.4 million[1][2]

It had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 10, 2019. It was released on August 2, 2019, by Vertical Entertainment.

Plot

Rachel (Diane Kruger) is a rogue spy from Israel's national intelligence force Mossad. She vanishes without a trace while attending her father's funeral in London. The only clue to her whereabouts is a cryptic phone call she places to her former handler Thomas (Martin Freeman), who is then summoned from Germany to Israel by Mossad. With Rachel's life immersed in her assignments as part of a vast espionage effort against Iran's nuclear program, Thomas must retrace her steps to determine what threats she may now pose to their operation, while also working to protect her.

Cast

Production

In February 2018, it was announced Diane Kruger and Eric Bana had joined the cast of the film, with Yuval Adler directing from a screenplay he wrote. Eitan Mansuri, Anne Carey, Michael Weber and Viola Fügen would serve as producers on the film under their Spiro Films, Archer Gray, Match Factory Productions banners, while Teddy Schwarzman would serve as an executive producer under his Black Bear Pictures banner.[5] In May 2018, Cas Anvar and Martin Freeman joined the cast of the film, replacing Bana.[6][7]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 10, 2019.[8] Shortly after, Vertical Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film.[9] It was released on August 2, 2019.[10]

Reception

Box office

The Operative grossed $0 in North America and a total worldwide of $1.4 million.[1][2]

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 41%, based on 32 reviews, and an average rating of 5.11/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Diane Kruger delivers an appropriately steely performance, but The Operative pursues a forgettable mission that fans of the genre will find all too familiar."[11] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 47 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[12]

References
  1. "The Operative (2019)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  2. "The Operative (2019) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  3. https://www.bookdepository.com/The-English-Teacher-Yiftach-Reicher-Atir/9780143129189
  4. "Mossad flick 'The Operative' goes beyond politics - Israel News - Jerusalem Post". www.jpost.com. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  5. Hipes, Patrick (February 9, 2018). "Diane Kruger & Eric Bana In Talks To Star In Spy Thriller 'The Operative' – Berlin". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  6. Vlessing, Etan (May 1, 2018). "Cas Anvar Joins Diane Kruger in Spy Thriller 'The Operative' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  7. N'Duka, Amanda (May 4, 2018). "Martin Freeman Joins Diane Kruger In 'The Operative'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  8. "The Operative". Berlin International Film Festival. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  9. Hearing, Bruce (April 4, 2019). "'The Operative' Starring Diane Kruger And Martin Freeman Lands At Vertical Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  10. Boone, John (July 8, 2019). "Diane Kruger Is a Rogue Spy in Too Deep in 'The Operative' Trailer (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  11. "The Operative (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  12. "The Operative Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
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