Allied

"Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Flight), Allied is a cinematic Turducken of sorts. Take a weepy romance, insert into spy intrigue, wrap that in epic WW2 drama, and then chuck into stunning 1940s couture. The story begins in Casablanca, where Canadian spy Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) falls in love with French resistance member Marianne Beauséjour (Marion Cotillard), on an undercover mission to assassinate the German ambassador."

"Allied is tense and absorbing, yet the film’s climactic act somehow falls short."

"Allied attempts to balance joy with heartbreak, and never fully manages either. But fans of old-school entertainment are unlikely to leave disappointed."

"Allied, swathed in larger-than-life, luxurious imposture, is the real heart-racing deal."

"Its moral complexities and political ambiguities are intriguing rather than troubling, its ethical and emotional agonies a diversion from rather than a reflection of our own. Which is just fine with me."

"Director Robert Zemeckis is usually known for his zestiness and zippiness; but this is arduous."

"Perhaps made 50 years ago, Allied would have shone, but today it merely dimly glows."

"Allied's strong sense of déjà vu sure makes it look nice. But it sure doesn't help make it a great film."

"Authentically romantic and harks back to cinema of old, both obviously in look but also in the pace of the storytelling."

"Plodding and pedestrian even in the technical magic that is a Zemeckis trademark, this is a case of a director out of his element with a script that fails to generate much heat."

"Zemeckis’ old-school romance has its moments and Cotillard gives it her all, but it lacks the zip and chemistry to truly spark."