TMS Movie Review: Relay
(Black Bear / Bleecker Street)
As the social media saying goes, the ‘vibes are immaculate’ for the first two acts of David Mackenzie’s Relay. For a while, I was really enjoying what felt like a modern send-up on a Michael Mann or Brian De Palma type crime thriller, and it even improved the main weakness found in those movies [female characters]. But then there’s a twist in the third act that I really didn’t want to happen, but unfortunately it did. This is frustrating because up until the abrupt switch in the final 20 minutes, Relay was very close to becoming a no-brainer to recommend, and it might have possibly been a contender for one of my favorites of the year. But alas.
Set in present day New York City, Sarah Grant (Lily James) wants to expose the research institute she worked with for covering up side effects of genetically modified wheat, but changes her mind when she realizes she’s being monitored and threatened. Desperate for help, she’s recommended the best anonymous ‘fixer’ in the city, Ash (Riz Ahmed), who intermediately serves whistleblowers exposing corrupt companies. But the more Ash communicates with Sarah, the more their relationship goes from professional to personal.
(Black Bear / Bleecker Street)
Sam Worthington and Willa Fitzgerald co-star as two of the surveillance team members spying on Sarah. Relay is directed by David Mackenzie of Starred Up (2013) and Hell or High Water (2016) fame and is screenwriter Justin Piasecki’s feature film debut. Like I mentioned already, the aesthetics and atmosphere of Mackenzie’s new picture really worked for me, and for a brief moment was even effectively sexy. Ahmed delivers a solid lead performance and James’ public image seems to have officially moved on from the cringe inducing bad press she was involved with back in 2020. It’s just a shame Mackenzie and Piasecki chose to conclude the story on such a cliché note, but maybe this is also a reminder of Relay being the latter’s first screenplay. On top of that, it was a little distracting how Worthington couldn’t seem to decide if he wanted to play his role American or with his natural Aussie accent. I really wanted to recommend Relay as a surprise late summer success, but sadly, I feel I can’t simply because of the unsatisfying ending. I will say though, I did find it amusing how even sharing a title with an old song by the Who, it’s actually ‘The Kids are Alright’ that gets referenced in the film.