The Whistle Blower

The 36-year-old Nigel Havers (who has a viable "family-resemblance" to his "father" Frank) portrays a 28-year-old Bob Jones. As one intelligence eavesdropper remarks, Bob is a "self-righteous little prick." How true. Bob is a Russian language specialist at British intelligence GCHQ. Despite age and experience, his world view is a 17-year-old's. He sees lies and paranoia throughout GCHQ. "Nothing is as it is made out to be." Bob sees "burglary, bribery, blackmail, drug trafficking ... (even) murder!" (the horror, the horror). Why, (he says) "Our secret world is on exactly the same tack as theirs." British intelligence is as corrupt as the Americans' and the Russians.' Despite patriotic father Frank's (Michael Caine) advice to not rock the boat and either continue this necessary and important work quietly; or at least exit gracefully; Bob plans to quit with a whistle-blowing bang, thereby being a "man in the white hat" who "always wins in the end," thus saving England, perhaps the world.

To add insult to injury, Bob is also stucking his acquaintance Alan's wife, Cynthia, married with child, presumably Alan's. This stucking may be a factor in Alan's death: Cynthia had just so advised Alan, telling Bob that Alan took it "terrible." Was it carbon monoxide suicide or perhaps another GPSC murder? We'll never know, but it apparently has a big effect on paranoid Bob. It's also difficult to see what (beyond plot requirements) Cynthia sees in Bob (or for that matter what he sees in her): Alan was better-looking than Bob and an extroverted but faithful reveler to boot, though admittedly with unsavory political connections.

The film succeeds brilliantly if intended to portray Bob an ideological idiot. Indeed, Bob gets his just deserts after just 45 grueling minutes, markedly improving the film's gene pool in the process, likely not the reaction intended. And that is the principal problem with this film. Induced by the script, Havers does well but his portrayal so poisons the water that it is difficult for subsequent sympathetic engagement. Even worse, the bad guys' performances and motivations are so strong (if Bob carries out his threat, he'll create a first magnitude British intelligence failure) that the film risks making them the true white hats despite their government-sanctioned murderous intentions! In this sense, the film has a refreshing ambiguity.

Prolog being over, the story gets down to brass tacks. Bob's grieving father Frank tries to find out why Bob died and if he can do anything about it. He risks getting acquaintances bumped off just before they can spill the beans (a time-honored movie tradition). And when Frank confronts someone about Bob's (and others') deaths, the intelligence folks are so (literally) wired in that they know all about it and other "private" and politically sensitive conversations Frank and son had as they strolled through "safe" terrain. (Watch for the guy with the "suitcase" and ear phones, the nearby upper floor open window, the trailing taxi, the brief glimpse of a major player at the subway "accident".) But when Frank finally confronts someone much higher in the food chain, presumably under more intense scrutiny, said agents must be out to lunch, conveniently facilitating a plot twist.

The performances of Caine, Barry Foster as Charlie Gregg, Kenneth Colley as Pickett and the several intelligence agents (including James Fox and Gordon Jackson, with character names like "Lord" and "Bruce" never occurring in conversation) are actually quite good, as is John Gielgud (as always) who's lesser supporting role as Sir Adrian Chapple has pretty limited screen time. The dual-sided DVD presents both a widescreen (16x9) and a pan scan version. The widescreen picture and sound are generally satisfying. The pan scan version is surprisingly crisp and pleasing.


Final Capstone of Cold War Films   October 8, 2003
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

The Whistle Blower is one of the capstones of the Cold War genre.

Michael Caine is in top form - this is one of his best parts.

While there are some parts that spin media culture, it has a transcendent quality that will provoke your thought.


who is the enemy ?   April 24, 2002
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Based on a novel by John Hale, this 1987 film is a cold war spy story with more twists and angles than can be absorbed in a single viewing.
The boundaries between right and wrong are blurred, in this complex plot where co-workers in the secret service are asked to spy on each other, truth-seekers are murdered, and the guilty are kept protected in their luxurious nests.

With an excellent cast that includes James Fox, Nigel Havers, John Gielgud, Felicity Dean, and many top-notch character actors, it's a fast paced hour and 40 minutes...one of my favorite parts is how they manage to get information out of the imprisoned double agent, making him believe that he has escaped.
Also adding a lot to the film is the lovely soundtrack by John Scott.

Michael Caine is powerful as the former spy and bereaved father, who investigates his son's death. Part vulnerable, part tough guy, it's a subtle, touching, and brilliant performance, and its believability makes this intricate thriller a 5 star film.