Moviegoers in 32 countries have been flocking to see Mr and Mrs Smith, the action-thriller starring screen icons Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt — the biggest reason being that two of Hollywood’s most famous people star side by side. Generally speaking, this should not matter too much in the modern era, but the free publicity the two stars have been getting after being spotted on a secluded beach in Kenya has made this the movie to see. Whether the romance is there or not, Mr and Mrs Smith‘s success has certainly highlighted something of a popular cultural phenomenon: sex still sells.
Strange that we don’t see too much sex on screen, since the marriage of John and Jane Smith is one long succession of heavy-breathing action. The two are dangerous assassins who work, unbeknown to the other, for competing organisations. When they are hired to kill each other, things take an interesting turn.
The casting of Pitt by director Doug Liman stands out. Not that Pitt isn’t assassin material, it’s just that we’ve seen his range of acting skills, from looney in 12 Monkeys to dead in Meet Joe Black and lover in The Mexican, and Pitt has yet to demonstrate enough depth to earn serious accolades. The assassin in him is only evident in ”clever” one-liners, of which he trades loads with Jolie. For her part, sexy and physically attractive, Jolie is in her element. All she has to do is pout and make bedroom eyes — and the heavy artillery suits her, too.
For entertainment value Mr and Mrs Smith scores exceptionally well, thanks to Jolie, Pitt and John Woo’s stunning action and special effects sequences. If you’re looking for escapism, get yourself a ticket for a pack-your-guns-and-blast-away night out at the cinema. Oscar-seeking audiences are better off staying at home, close to a fireplace with good wine in hand.