The Diplomat (2009)

Although it may seem improbable that a 187-minute film can maintain your interests and keep them piqued from beginning to end, the newly released Australian DVD The Diplomat assures you that it can.

Originally filmed for Australian television, and indeed separated into two complete films, the espionage thriller with melodramatic undertones easily captivates the audience for a full three hours.

The Diplomat contains a complex plot that is nicely divided between the two feature-length halves.

The front half tells the story of Ian Porter, a British diplomat who is arrested on charges of involvement with the Russian mafia. Ian maintains his innocence and, along with his ex-wife, is placed into the international witness protection program so that he may testify against Russian mafioso Sergei Krousov. The main focus for the bulk of this half is Ian's relationships, particularly the one he has with his ex-wife. This half of the film concludes with an actionpacked gunfight that brings everyone's motives into question.

The second half of The Diplomat is an all out action-filled espionage flick. Ian is on the run from various authorities and no one's true motives or loyalties are known.

The Diplomat contains a stellar cast chock-full of talented British and Australian actors. The lead role of Ian Porter is played by Dougray Scott, a Scottish actor better known for his work in the flick Hitman. Scott's performance is exceptionally powerful, portraying a spectrum of emotions, each one more convincing than the next. His high point of the film is the emotionally charged finale of the first portion - a gunfight wherein his ex-wife, with whom he has reconciled, is killed in the crossfires. The flashback scenes depicting Ian's son's death are also particularly powerful.

The counterpoint to Scott in the front half is his ex-wife Pippa Porter played by Claire Forlani. She gives an emotionally charged portrayal of a woman whose affections, along with her loyalties, are infuriatingly ambiguous throughout the film.

For the back half of the film, Ian Porter goes up against Sergei Krousov, played by Aussie actor Don Hany. Hany gets into the atmosphere of espionage and plays the part well.

The cast is rounded out by Rachel Blake, Richard Roxburgh and Stephen Curry as friends (or possibly foes) of Porter.

The editing used in the film maintains the fast pace and energy required to keep viewers captivated for just over three hours. The dialogue in The Diplomat is a little on the convoluted side, which alternately strengthens and then hinders the film. Surprisingly, the film manages to keep its pace steady throughout its overly long run time, avoiding both bursts and lulls of actions.

All in all, The Diplomat is an entreatingly and exciting espionage flick. There are even a few elements of romance for the ladies to enjoy. An ambitious watch, but worth it nonetheless, The Diplomat is an excellent example of an Aussie film.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars