Movie reviews: The Wife, The Spy Gone North

THE WIFE (NC16)

Isn't it an insult that Glenn Close has not won an Oscar in her 40-year career?

The 71-year-old veteran has received six nominations (evenly divided between lead and supporting categories), but each time, she returned home empty-handed.

This makes her the living actor with the most nominations without a single win.

The premise of her latest drama is simple, but Close's controlled yet powerful performance will win her votes from the Academy.

She portrays Joan, the loyal and dutiful wife of celebrated novelist Joe Castleman (Jonathan Pryce). Their rosy marriage starts to unravel when the couple and their adult son David (Max Irons) head for Stockholm where Joe is to receive the Nobel Prize for literature.

As the story unfolds, we see how Joan and Joe first meet in the 1950s, learn who's the real literary star and how she puts up with his womanising ways.

The cracks gets bigger when Joan starts to question her life and dreams. Christian Slater's nosy writer, who wants to do a tell-all on Joe, only fuels the submissive spouse further.

Will The Wife end Close's losing streak? We can only hope she can withstand this year's onslaught of many strong contenders heading her way. - JOANNE SOH 

Ratings: 3.5

---

THE SPY GONE NORTH (PG)

Based on the true story of a South Korean spy, this drama set in the 1990s revolves around Park Seok-young (Hwang Jung-min), who infiltrates North Korea to gather intelligence on the country's nuclear plans.

The main character here weaves through dark alleys and strategically worms his way into the heart of North Korea. He poses as a businessman whose only motivation is money and skilfully escapes the tricks and tests thrown at him.

Though The Spy Gone North starts off slow, it picks up speed as Park finds himself doubted by military man Manager Jung (Ju Ji-hoon)and viewers are thrown into political maze with unexpected twists.- ADELINE TAN

Ratings : 4