'Spies of Warsaw' review: It's no 'Masterpiece'
Mercier (David Tennant) in in BBC America's "Spies of Warsaw." Credit: Handout
But really, he's a secret agent who just knows those Germans and Russians are up to no good. "One's east, one's west, both of them mean to crush Poland like a walnut," declares Mercier's local connection. So Mercier lures an entire orbit of citizens into the "cloak and dagger" of sleeping with the enemy, stealing tank plans, crossing barbed-wire borders and, in the case of Skarbek, succumbing to his own romantic charms.
For that matter, the saga itself -- despite its historic and political gravitas, plot twists and location-shot ambience -- feels as limp as its acting. Adapted from the Alan Furst novel, it's crammed with clichés. An under-suspicion turncoat is forever mopping his sweaty forehead. Dialogue runs along the lines of "I have to pick my moment" and "Her heart is closed to you." Someone actually says a lover "made me feel useful, relevant." Such sweet nothings!
Add to that the American challenge of figuring out who's which nationality, since the French have British accents while the remaining cast sounds vaguely Eastern European something or other.
Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.
Inside look at NUMC's aging infrastructure President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.
