Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg collaborates with Oscar winner and long-term acquaintance Halle Berry in Netflix's most recent action comedy, "The Union." Directed by Julian Farino, the film signifies Farino's return to feature films after a fifteen-year tenure in episodic television. The screenplay is attributed to Joe Barton and David Guggenheim.
Mike, played by Mark Wahlberg, is content with his modest life as a construction worker in his hometown of New Jersey until his long-lost high school sweetheart, Roxanne, portrayed by Halle Berry, reemerges with more than just romance in mind. Little does Mike know that Roxanne is a covert operative who needs a fresh one for her latest mission. Recognizing his suitability for the task, she enlists Mike for a perilous intelligence operation in Europe.
"The Union" opens with a standard spy trope: Roxanne is on a wrong mission, which sets up the domino effect for her to recruit Mike. I liked Berry's character's introduction; it was great to see her in action and handling business like a boss. Wahlberg's introduction is somewhat humorous, and it was refreshing to see him tap into an overly thirsty guy and downplay his usual confidence.
Upon first viewing the trailer for "The Union," I harbored uncertainties about the eventual outcome of the production. Given Mark Wahlberg's prevalent portrayal as an assertive figure, particularly in action-oriented films, I harbored initial presumptions that the script might seek to portray his character in a more subordinate or comical light. If the film had adopted this approach, it could have been more fitting to cast a comedic talent like Kevin Hart or DeRay Davis in the lead role.
However, director Julian Farino has an eye for what makes an old-fashioned mid-budget spy flick work. Wahlberg and Berry are having a blast working together for the first time, and their real-life friendships allude on the screen so that I could buy into their characters as former flames. The supporting cast falls into the typical spy flick tropes but is also having a blast.
J.K. Simmons embodies the character of Berry's superior, while Mike Colter assumes the role of a smooth fellow agent. Additionally, Jackie Earle Haley and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje are esteemed Union members renowned for their distinct and exceptional skill sets. However, while she's more about brains than fists, I found the lead villain that Jessica De Gouw portrays a bit underwhelming. Her character lacks the depth and menace that a good villain should have, which is a slight drawback in an otherwise enjoyable film.
Despite the familiar elements, 'The Union' offers a unique blend of espionage, predictable plot twists, adrenaline-pumping car chases, and playful flirting between our two leads. What truly sets this movie apart is the organic chemistry between Berry and Wahlberg, making "The Union" worth a one-time watch.
Final Grade: B-
"The Union" is available to stream tomorrow on Netflix
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