Spy (2015 film)
Spy is a 2015 American action comedy spy film written and directed by Paul Feig. Starring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney, Peter Serafinowicz, and Jude Law. It follows unorthodox secret agent Susan Cooper (McCarthy) as she tries to trace a stolen portable nuclear device.
Spy | |
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Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Paul Feig |
Produced by |
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Written by | Paul Feig |
Starring | |
Music by | Theodore Shapiro |
Cinematography | Robert Yeoman |
Edited by |
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Production companies |
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Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
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Running time | 120 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $65 million[2] |
Box office | $235.7 million[3] |
Produced by Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Feig, and Jessie Henderson, the film was theatrically released in the United States on June 5, 2015. It received positive reviews from critics and grossed $235 million worldwide. It was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for McCarthy.
Plot
Susan Cooper is a 40-year-old, single, desk-bound CIA employee who remotely assists her partner, field agent Bradley Fine, on a mission. Fine accidentally kills arms dealer Tihomir Boyanov so failing to learn the location of a suitcase nuke from him. Susan uncovers evidence that Rayna, Boyanov's daughter, has contacted terrorist middle man Sergio De Luca, so Fine infiltrates her home. Rayna shoots Fine dead, while Susan watches helplessly online. Rayna then reveals that she knows the identities of the agency's top agents, including Rick Ford and Karen Walker. Susan, once a top trainee agent but now unknown, volunteers to track her. When her boss, Elaine Crocker, reluctantly agrees, the ultra macho Ford quits in disgust.
With her best friend Nancy providing remote intelligence, Susan goes to Paris. Ford shows up and warns her she will fail because of her inexperience. Susan discovers that De Luca's office has burned down, but finds a photo of a man standing next to the fire. Ford appears, argues with Susan again and leaves. Susan sees the man from the photo switch Ford's backpack with one containing a bomb. Susan warns Ford in time during a Verka Serduchka concert and then pursues the man, accidentally killing him during the ensuing fight. She finds proof, on his body, that De Luca is going to Rome.
In Rome, Susan meets her contact Aldo. She follows De Luca into a casino, where she saves Rayna's life. Rayna invites Susan into her inner circle, taking her by private jet to Budapest. In mid-flight, the steward kills Rayna's crew, but Susan subdues him. Rayna believes Susan to be a CIA agent, but Susan convinces her that she was hired by her father to protect her.
Nancy joins Susan in Budapest. After being shot at, Susan pursues and catches the would-be assassin: Karen, who sold Rayna the names of the agents. She tries to shoot Susan, but an unseen sniper kills Karen. Susan, Nancy and Aldo accompany Rayna to a party to meet Rayna's contact, Lia. Nancy creates a diversion, jumping on guest performer 50 Cent, so that Susan can apprehend Lia, but Ford's inopportune intervention lets Lia run off. Susan catches her and, during a brutal fight, is saved from death by Fine, who faked his murder and is Rayna's lover and associate.
Rayna imprisons Susan and Aldo, but Fine visits them and reveals that he is gaining Rayna's trust to locate the nuke, and he was the one who killed Karen. Susan and Aldo escape, and Susan follows Fine and Rayna to De Luca's mansion, where she convinces them that the CIA has mistreated her, and she will do anything to protect Fine, admitting she loves him. Terrorist Solsa Dudaev arrives, gives De Luca a suitcase full of diamonds, and Rayna produces the device. De Luca has Dudaev and his men killed, reveals his plan to resell the device to another buyer, then prepares to shoot Rayna. Ford distracts him, allowing Susan to kill his men. De Luca escapes by helicopter with the device and the diamonds, but Susan grabs onto the landing gear. In the ensuing struggle, Susan throws the diamonds and the device into a lake below. De Luca attempts to shoot Susan, but Nancy, following in 50 Cent's helicopter, shoots him before he can. De Luca falls out of the helicopter into the lake, presumably dead.
The nuke is retrieved and Rayna is arrested, but she makes peace with Susan - accepting her as a friend. Ford, realising that he had underestimated Susan, finally compliments her skills. Crocker tells Susan that she will remain a field agent, and that her next assignment will take her to Prague. Fine invites Susan to dinner, but she opts for a night out with Nancy. The next morning, Susan wakes up in bed next to Ford and screams, while Ford claims she "loved it".
During the credits, details of Susan on various missions, all over the world, are shown.
Cast
- Melissa McCarthy as Susan Cooper
- Rose Byrne as Rayna Boyanov
- Jude Law as Bradley Fine
- Jason Statham as Rick Ford
- Miranda Hart as Nancy B. Artingstall
- Bobby Cannavale as Sergio De Luca
- Allison Janney as Elaine Crocker
- Peter Serafinowicz as Aldo
- Morena Baccarin as Karen Walker
- Björn Gustafsson as Anton
- Nargis Fakhri as Lia
- Richard Brake as Solsa Dudaev
- 50 Cent as Himself
- Will Yun Lee as Timothy Cress
- Carlos Ponce as Matthew Wright
- Michael McDonald as Patrick
- Mitch Silpa as Fredrick
- Zach Woods as Man in purple tie
- Jessica Chaffin as Sharon
- Katie Dippold as Katherine
- Sam Richardson as John
- Ben Falcone as American tourist
- Jamie Denbo as Casino hostess
- Steve Bannos as Alan, the bartender
- Verka Serduchka as Himself
- Paul Feig as drunken guest at Paris hotel (uncredited)
Production
Development
On June 18, 2013, it was announced that Paul Feig was developing Susan Cooper, a female spy comedy, for 20th Century Fox. Feig wrote and directed the film.[4] Peter Chernin and Jenno Topping produced the film under the Chernin Entertainment banner, with Feig and Jessie Henderson for Feigco Entertainment.[5] On November 12, 2013, Fox announced a release date of May 22, 2015.[6] On March 28, 2014, the film's title was changed to Spy.[7]
Casting
On July 25, 2013, it was confirmed that Melissa McCarthy was in negotiations to play the title role. Zooey Deschanel was originally slated to play the role of Elaine Crocker but left the project.[8] On October 17, Rose Byrne joined the cast of the film.[9] Throughout 2014, Jason Statham,[10] Jude Law,[11] Nargis Fakhri,[12] Miranda Hart,[13] Bobby Cannavale,[7] Peter Serafinowicz, Björn Gustafsson.[14] Morena Baccarin,[15] Allison Janney,[16] Zach Woods[17] and Jessica Chaffin joined the cast, along with 50 Cent, who would be playing himself,[5] and Nia Long, who did not appear in the finished film.[18]
Filming
Principal photography and production began on March 31, 2014, in Budapest, Hungary.[13][19] On May 27, filming was under way in Budapest and was about to wrap up.[20] Apart from tax breaks, shooting was primarily done in Budapest because its architecture and location could allow it to appear as other places where the story took place, including Paris.[21]
Release
The US release of film was originally scheduled for May 22, 2015, by 20th Century Fox.[6] In March 2015, the date was pushed back to June 5, 2015, which was first assigned to B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations and Paper Towns; the former of which being taken off the schedule and cancelled, while the latter moved to July.[22] Prior to its official release, Paul Feig stated that Spy went through about 10 test screenings, a process – which includes recording the audience laughter for each version – he does "religiously", with Judd Apatow (who produced the Feig-directed Bridesmaids) commenting on its usefulness for a comedy film: "It doesn't work very well if a movie is supposed to make you feel difficult emotions. If you're making a David Lynch movie, it doesn't work at all. But for comedy it's often the best way to refine jokes."[23]
Spy was released on May 21, 2015 in Australia, Malaysia and Vietnam,[24] and of May 28, 2015 in Israel and May 29, 2015 in Norway.
Box office
Spy grossed $110.8 million in North America and $124.8 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $235.6 million, against a budget of $65 million.[3]
In North America, the film made $1.5 million from its early Thursday night showings[25] and an estimated $10.3 million on its opening day from 3,711 theaters, coming at second place at the box office behind fellow new release Insidious: Chapter 3.[26] It would go on to top the box office in its opening weekend, earning $29 million.[27] The film dropped 46% in its sophomore weekend to $15.6 million, finishing second behind newcomer Jurassic World.[28]
Outside North America, Spy opened in ten foreign markets on May 22, 2015, earning $12.7 million in its opening weekend from 1,810 screens, and coming in fourth place at the box office (behind Mad Max: Fury Road, Tomorrowland, and Pitch Perfect 2).[29] In the UK, Ireland and Malta, it opened with $3.9 million.[30] The film had successful openings in South Korea ($4.8 million), Russia and the CIS ($3.1 million), Australia ($2.9 million), Mexico ($1.6 million) and Taiwan ($1.3 million).[29][30]
Reception
Critical response
Spy received critical acclaim, with critics praising Feig's direction and screenplay, McCarthy and Byrne's performances, as well as Statham's surprise comedic role.[31][32][33][34] On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 95% based on 258 reviews, with an average rating of 7.30/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Simultaneously broad and progressive, Spy offers further proof that Melissa McCarthy and writer-director Paul Feig bring out the best in one another — and delivers scores of belly laughs along the way."[35] On Metacritic the film has a score of 75 out of 100, based on 40 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[36] In CinemaScore polls, cinema audiences gave the film an average score of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[26]
McCarthy's performance was praised by critics. Richard Roeper of The Chicago Sun Times called her "as funny and as winning as anyone in the movies these days".[37] Tom Russo of The Boston Globe credited the film's success to McCarthy, writing, "part of what makes the action comedy such a loopy blast is the identity shifts she pulls on the audience."[38] Bill Goodykoontz of Arizona Republic called the film McCarthy's return to form, writing "Finally, after the promise shown in Bridesmaids, but sold short since by weak scripts in films like Tammy and Identity Thief, Melissa McCarthy gets a movie vehicle worthy of her talents."[39]
In addition to McCarthy's, many of the supporting cast members' performances were praised, particularly Byrne's and Statham's. John Boone of Entertainment Tonight said Statham "twists his action hero persona into a delightfully delusional version of the same thing", and praised Byrne's performance, writing "For every joke that McCarthy's Susan Cooper ends up as the butt of, Byrne is the one teeing it up with perfectly understated wickedness. She can so easily spit out lines as offensive as, after Cooper delivers a punny cheers, "What a stupid, f**king toast," but make it...charming?"[40] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called Byrne's comedic timing "bitchy perfection".[41]
Accolades
Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Critics' Choice Movie Awards[42][43] | Best Comedy | Nominated | |
Best Actress in a Comedy | Melissa McCarthy | Nominated | |
Best Actor in a Comedy | Jason Statham | Nominated | |
Evening Standard British Film Awards | Award for Comedy | Nominated | |
Empire Awards[44][45] | Best Comedy | Won | |
Georgia Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Rose Byrne | Nominated |
Glamour Awards | Comedy Actress | Melissa McCarthy | Nominated |
Rose Byrne | Won | ||
Golden Globe Awards[46] | Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Nominated | |
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Melissa McCarthy | Nominated | |
Golden Trailer Awards | Best Comedy | "Secret Agent" | Nominated |
Las Vegas Film Critics Society | Best Comedy Film | Nominated | |
MTV Movie Awards[47] | Best Comedic Performance | Melissa McCarthy | Nominated |
Best Fight | Melissa McCarthy vs. Nargis Fakhri | Nominated | |
People's Choice Awards[48][49] | Favorite Comedic Movie | Nominated | |
Favorite Comedic Movie Actress | Melissa McCarthy | Won | |
Phoenix Critics Circle | Best Comedy Film | Nominated | |
Saturn Awards[50] | Best Action or Adventure Film | Nominated | |
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association | Best Film – Comedy | Nominated | |
Teen Choice Awards[51] | Choice Summer Movie | Nominated | |
Choice Summer Movie Star: Female | Melissa McCarthy | Nominated | |
Choice Movie: Hissy Fit | Nominated | ||
Choice Movie: Villain | Rose Byrne | Nominated | |
Utah Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actor - Female | Won | |
Village Voice Film Poll | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | |
Women Film Critics Circle | Best Comedic Actress | Melissa McCarthy | Nominated |
Possible sequel
In a May 2015 interview with The Guardian, Paul Feig said he was already writing a sequel, that includes Jason Statham's Agent Ford,[52] though the project doesn't have a producer.[53] In 2019, Feig explained that although a sequel to Spy could still happen, "there hasn't been any interest from the studio" in the project.[54]
References
- "SPY (15)". British Board of Film Classification. April 17, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- Ryzik, Melena (May 1, 2015). "The Director Paul Feig Prepares 'Spy' With Melissa McCarthy". Retrieved May 14, 2015.
- "Spy (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
- Sneider, Jeff (June 18, 2013). "Paul Feig Developing Female James Bond Comedy 'Susan Cooper'". thewrap.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- Kit, Borys (April 1, 2014). "50 Cent Joins Melissa McCarthy in 'Spy'". Retrieved April 3, 2014.
- Ford, Rebecca (November 12, 2013). "Fox Shifts 'Fantastic Four' Reboot to Summer 2015, Dates Paul Feig's 'Susan Cooper'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- Kit, Borys (March 28, 2014). "Bobby Cannavale, Nia Long in Talks to Join 'Spy'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
- McNary, Dave (July 25, 2013). "Melissa McCarthy May Play Female James Bond in Comedy". Variety. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- Sneider, Jeff (October 17, 2013). "'Bridesmaids' Reunion: Rose Byrne to Join Melissa McCarthy in Paul Feig's Spy Comedy". thewrap.com. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
- Kroll, Justin (February 26, 2014). "Jason Statham to Join Melissa McCarthy in Fox's 'Susan Cooper'". Variety. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- Sneider, Jeff (March 6, 2014). "Jude Law Nearing Deal to Join Melissa McCarthy's Spy Comedy 'Susan Cooper'". thewrap.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- Qazi, Umer (March 12, 2014). "American born Pakistani-Czech ethnic actress Nargis Fakhri to appear in Hollywood film featuring Jason Statham". brecorder.com. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
- Fleming Jr, Mike (March 28, 2014). "Paul Feig Taps Miranda Hart For Female Spy Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
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- Kit, Borys (April 30, 2014). "'Homeland' Actress Morena Baccarin Joins Melissa McCarthy in 'Spy'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
- Patten, Dominic (April 30, 2014). "Allison Janney Joins Powerhouse Cast Of Paul Feig's 'Spy'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
- "Zach Woods Cast In 'Spy'". Deadline Hollywood. May 2, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
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- "ON THE SET FOR 3/31/14: PAUL FEIG AND MELISSA MCCARTHY START 'SPY' AND MICHAEL FASSBENDER WRAPS 'MACBETH'". studiosystemnews.com. March 31, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
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- "Spy - Movie Reviews & More". yourmovies.com.au. 2015. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- Anthony D'Alessandro (June 5, 2015). "'Insidious: Chapter 3′, 'Spy' Get The Busy Frame Started With Previews – Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
- Pamela McClintock (June 6, 2015). "Box Office: 'Spy' Laughs Past Rival Comedy 'Entourage,' Horror Film 'Insidious 3'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- Keith Simanton (June 7, 2015). "Weekend Report - 'Spy' Eyes $30M Weekend". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- Anthony D'Alessandro and Anita Busch (June 15, 2015). "'Jurassic World' Domestic Record $208.8M Bow Lifts Industry – Box Office Final". Deadline Hollywood. (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- Nancy Tartaglione and Kinsey Lowe (May 26, 2015). "'Tomorrowland's $74.7M Global Bow; 'Pitch Perfect 2′ Singing $190.4M Cume; 'Mad Max' Smokin' $227.7M – Wwide B.O. Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
- Nancy Tartaglione and Anita Busch (June 8, 2015). "'San Andreas' Has Seismic $97.7M Frame; 'Spy' Crosses $50M – Intl B.O. Final". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
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- Bill, Goodykoontz. "Review: Melissa McCarthy makes a terrific 'Spy'". Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- Boone, John. "How 'Spy' Cements Rose Byrne's Status as the Underrated Queen of Comedy". Retrieved February 9, 2016.
- Travers, Peter. "Spy Review". Retrieved February 9, 2016.
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- Nugent, John. "Star Wars and Mad Max win big at the 2016 Jameson Empire Awards". Empire. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
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- "List: Who won People's Choice Awards?". USA Today. January 6, 2016. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
- "The 42nd Annual Saturn Awards nominations are announced for 2016!". Saturn Awards. February 24, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- "WINNERS OF TEEN CHOICE 2015 ANNOUNCED". Teen Choice Awards. FOX. August 16, 2015. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- "Melissa McCarthy and Paul Feig on Spy: 'When it works, it works like jazz'". The Guardian. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- "Will 'Spy' Get A Sequel? This Badass Melissa McCarthy Deserves One More Than Anything, That's For Sure". bustle.com. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- "Paul Feig reveals why Bridesmaids 2 probably won't happen – but Spy 2 definitely could". Games Radar. September 12, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
External links
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- Official website
- Spy at IMDb
- Spy at Box Office Mojo
- Spy at Rotten Tomatoes
- Spy at Metacritic