The Man From U.N.C.L.E.--Napoleon or Illya?

Despite some iffy reviews, I went to see the movie The Man From U.N.C.L.E. To my surprise, I enjoyed it very much. The period sets and costumes were amazing, the music fun and hopping, and the plot worked well to move the story along.

Per IMDb, here's the plot of the movie:

At the height of the Cold War, a mysterious criminal organization plans to use nuclear weapons and technology to upset the fragile balance of power between the United States and Soviet Union. CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) are forced to put aside their hostilities and work together to stop the evildoers in their tracks. The duo's only lead is the daughter of a missing German scientist, whom they must find soon to prevent a global catastrophe.

 Sounds intriguing, right?  Now add in these two hunky heroes (actors Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer, from left to right):

The dark-haired lothario is Napoleon. He's the suave American playboy with thieving skills. His

companion is the gorgeous Russian agent, Illya, a man with anger problems and a backstory that's deeper than the American thief.

Two good-looking heroes. With my fascination for all things Henry Caville (Napoleon--also Superman in a past movie), I though I'd side with my fellow American.

I did not. Shocker.

Why? Because the writers gave Illya such a fascinating, brooding character. He's all business, trying to make up for a convoluted family history with pulling loyalties. There's an attraction to a woman he's protecting, yet he doesn't act on it...exactly.

By contract, Napoleon is smokin' hot, sexy, and debonaire. He gets the ladies with ease. And he's, frankly, a little boring. He's a perfect thief, a perfect gentleman, and though blackmailed into working for the CIA because he got caught doing something he shouldn't, he's got a near-perfect record.

But you know what? Perfection is boring. I think back to all the characters I've read about or seen that have intrigued me, and there's always something off or faulty about them that makes me want to know more. A hidden nugget of pain that draws me deeper, to see if that pain can be overcome.

I hadn't intended to learn anything while watching this movie. I just wanted to be entertained. I was, and I also ended up getting a little fodder for my own work. So hey, a win-win all around. 

I'd give The Man From U.N.C.L.E. a solid B. Entertaining, fun, only one small semi-nude scene that was brief and tasteful (PG-13 rating). A great way to spend a few hours if you have the time.

Marie
website | blog | facebook
author of the McCauley Brothers
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author