Based on true events, Official Secrets is the story of GCHQ translator Katharine Gun (Keira Knightley), who risked everything in an attempt to do what she believed was right. While transcribing sensitive documents an e-mail came through detailing an NSA operation to blackmail members of the UN Security Council into voting for the 2003 Iraq War. Knowing that this could lead to a potentially illegal war, Katharine took the brave decision to leak the document to the press, in the hope that millions of lives could be saved by avoiding unnecessary military action. Having contravened the ‘Official Secrets Act’ however, the threat of severe personal and legal consequences hung perilously above her.
Katharine is a down to earth average woman, living happily with her Turkish husband Yasar (Adam Bakri). After Katharine leaks the document both of their lives are turned upside down, as she faces criminal charges and he is threatened with deportation.
Journalist Martin Bright (Matt Smith), who is the person who releases the story in The Observer newspaper. He (and the newspaper in general) faces the challenge in terms of gathering evidence to ensure that the story they are presented with is the truth. Ben Emmerson (Ralph Fiennes), a lawyer tasked with trying to keep Katharine out of prison – a task made all the more complicated by the fact that what she did, although morally commendable, was against the law.
The way the film examines the ins and outs of decisions that led up to the Iraq War in a complex, but manageable, way was incredible. The use of real news footage of Tony Blair, George Bush, the press and the eventual attack hammers home just how impactful this corruption was by the governments involved.
I think the entire ensemble cast did a terrific job in telling this story. As well as the above-mentioned (who were all great), I feel mentions should also go to Rhys Ifans and Matthew Goode, who play journalists at The Observer; as well as Peter Guinness, who plays a police investigator.
I want to give special mention however to Keira Knightley, who leads the film with an excellent performance. Interestingly the role was apparently going to be offered to Natalie Dormer (who does look more like the real Katharine Gun), but for whatever reason Knightley got the job.
Personally the one part of the film that I may not have focussed on as much would have been the sub-plot with Katharine’s husband. Being based on a true story I suppose it’s fair for that aspect of events to be included. For me, with so much already going on, this just seemed slightly too much. It still provided the film with some good moments; but I may have given it less attention than Hood and the other writers chose to. That really is a small criticism however. Frankly I loved this movie and there isn’t much I can think of to complain about.
Official Secrets is unquestionably one of my favourite films of the year so far. I did not expect to get so much out of this story; but the way it was presented, in addition to the brilliant performances of the ensemble cast, completely won me over and entertained, but also educated. I hope as many of you as possible get the chance to see it as it’s a film I cannot recommend highly enough.
