Spider in the Web

Tinker tailor soldier snooze.

Mostly, the movie's a magnificent showcase for Kingsley, who's always at his best when his characters look like they know something we don't.

While Kingsley's character Avram Adareth's musings on a life spent dishing out violence on behalf of a seemingly ungrateful government are quietly compelling, the film offers precious little to get excited about.

[Spider in the Web] is not altogether satisfying as a story, but it works well enough as a smoke-and-mirrors spy caper. It shows that the world is a dangerous place with countries acting in their own self-interest.

While there are some strong scenes in the final act, the emotional kick simply isn't there.

The narrative momentum too often stalls, which prevents the film from maintaining consistent tension. That's a problem even Kingsley can't solve.

...in the vein of John le Carré.

A somewhat convoluted thriller with John Le Carré pretensions that succeeds more than it fails.

Sir Ben puts on a clinic in how to play a cunning, canny, cultured and charming old spy in this sturdy, if murky, Israeli espionage thriller.