Introduction.
The film “Ghosted” starring Hollywood actors Chris Evans and Ana de Armas is the fusion of rom-coms and spy thrillers, which have both dominated the film industry. Without presenting any fresh concepts in this genre, the 2023 film does provide enjoyment through its entertaining yet predictable plot of spy fiction laden with secrets and identities where two people navigate a whirlwind world amid witty dialogue, dramatic stunts, and relentless chases. Though it attempts to harness the appeal of Evans and Armas’s star power, Ghos ted ultimately fails due to this blending of genres lacking cohesiveness.
Plot Summary
Cole Riggan, played by Chris Evans, is a nurturing and loving farmer from Virginia with a passion for horticulture. He undergoes the transformation of a touchy-feely relationship to one marked by sentimentality and even jealousy. Cole spontaneously takes Sadie Rhodes, portrayed by Ana de Armas, on a date after an enigmatic encounter at a farmer’s market. Claiming to work in “art curation,” Sadie’s witty banter coupled with her mysterious personality combined with unmistakable chemistry captured between the two leaves many pondering about the elusive “the one.”
The enchanting day turns into a night that they both cherish only for Sadie to abruptly go silent—responding to none of Cole’s messages. After believing that he pinpointed her location to be London, Cole sets off on what he believes can only be described as winning back his lost love. His quest: prove she hasn’t grown indifferent towards him. What begins as an extreme romantic gesture quickly spirals out of control, culminating into chaos worthy of international headlines all while continuing the plotline of a calamitous rom-com.
Things go wrong for Cole as he is captured by international agents who mistakenly believe he’s the renowned CIA operative, “The Taxman.” Before Cole could soothe his perplexed mind, Sadie struts in with guns blazing as The Taxman— a CIA agent in the midst of a global mission to disarm a bio-weapon being detonated.
From there, both characters experience jet-setting wind sprints across the globe escaping terrorists, bounty hunters, rogue agents and all other kinds of shenanigans that could make even James Bond blush. Two different aspects of their personalities, a blend between smoldering romance and unresolved tensions from a 24 hour romance self generate throughout the entire trip.
Cast and Characters
Chris Evans as Cole Riggan: Famous for his role as Captain America, Evans surprises everyone with portraying a sensitive useless civilian caught up in an espionage plot. His charm also comes out when he plays the ‘damsel in distress’, though this time it’s a gender-swap spin on spy stories and a witty protagonist like Riggan is refreshing counterbalance.
Ana de Armas as Sadie Rhodes: Following her praised action debut in No Time to Die and her earlier pairing with Evans in Knives Out, de Armas expertly balances pragmatism and the emotional coldness of a The CIA Operative. She steers Sadie Rhodes through lingering moments of professional distance laced with emotion, yielding some of the best action performances throughout the film.
As Leveque, Adrien Brody: Brody’s suave menace makes him a fitting choice for this movie’s villain—a mercenary with a bio-weapon within his nefarious arsenal. Although this character lacks originality, Brody’s delivery brings indulging relish to the delightfully over-the-top lines he is given.
Sedaris’ alongside Tate Donovan plays well-intentioned rival bounty hunter parents and assassins Cole which are highlighted by multiple appearances from celebrity cameo.
Direction and Style
The Fletcher who has reigned over Rocketman and finalized edits on Bohemian Rhapsody brings an equally polished cinematic style to these features. His pacing is brisk; even when the narrative seems poised to stagnate fully- inertia proves nearly impossible to halt The Fletcher also creates fast cuts for every other dramatic sequence framed around remote locations for non-stop stimulation paired with smooth exotic blends.
While the fluid car chases and shootouts suggest that Ghosted is a sappy romantic film, it does possess elements similar to buddy-action romps. Parts of the film seem tailor-made to capture defining moments from classics like Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Romancing the Stone, or even North by Northwest featuring an average Joe entangled in extraordinary circumstances.
Themes and Tone
Ghosted offers little room for pliability with its central themes:
Reversing gender roles: Sadie, the emotionally stoic operative succumbing to Cole’s uncontrollable tears as a ‘passive defendant,’ flips the conventional narrative where men shield women from danger. This genre reversal aims at humor but strikes emotional chords.
Trust and vulnerability: Most of the friction between the protagonists centers on trust shaped by past relationships. A hopeful romantic Cole clashes with professionally detached Sadie. This film begs to ask whether people with such juxtaposing temperaments exist in common ground.
Love in chaos: The action-packed fuel drives conflict while suggesting love blossoms anywhere regardless of how chaotic or dangerous the environment—”emotional peril.” As metaphorical spies, characters act vulnerable within their emotions/relationships.
Because so much emphasis is placed on fast-paced action, exploration into Cole and Sadie’s emotional beats do not receive deep analysis.
Reception
At the initial screening of Ghosted, critics had mixed to average reviews along with the audience. The self-aware comedies and easygoing style of the film drew attention to chemistry between Evans and de Armas. Critics also mentioned production value and pacing as gripping highlights of the movie.
Though critics did highlight some positive things, many had said that there were overused tropes in the script alongside a lack of creativity. On top of that, some writers believed that while major parts of the plot were interesting, the reliance on celebrity glamour overshadowed much of what could have been developed considering the espionage backdrop.
Notwithstanding any harsh reviews about the film’s appeal or content parodying contrived romance films, Ghosted appears to have done well on streaming platforms.
Conclusion
While Ghosted has few redeeming qualities, it lacks any aspirations hopes ascribed by viewers on these works: effortlessly entertaining with perfectly paced humor lingering behind clichés deserves lightning fast pacing. Thus viewing allows one to laugh at action-y landscapes across continents peppered with blasts from industrial fireworks celebrating an insatiable lust for chivalry starring male figure from sparkling Los Angeles while massive spindle fuselage mounted diva does her jaw-dropping best to catch up pathetically lost without credit for creating movements which older than he ever was.
Notwithstanding the overused themes, the film succeeds in captivating its audience. As for Chris Evans and Ana de Armas, their romantic chemistry suggested that the two make an interesting couple to watch on screen.
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