Salting the Battlefield
Dir: David Hare
2014
***
David Hare's Johnny Worricker trilogy comes to an end in Salting the Battlefield. While the first film had espionage and intrigue and the second one had 'Hollywood' and murder, the third one only has the long awaited conclusion as it's selling point but I'm not sure it was the one we were expecting in that it was exactly what everyone was expecting. I'm not sure if that's what I liked about it or not, I'm glad they didn't go over the top as that wouldn't be in keeping with the style (it's all about Jazz didn't you know) but I thought that maybe there would be at least a little twist towards the end. Again, it's all about the performances, Ralph Fiennes's sociopath PM gets more screen time and Olivia Williams pops up in a fantastic performance as a fictional version of The Independent's poisonous don't-give-a-damn trustworthy/untrustworthy editor. Both are worth watching for alone. I think I'd like more from Johnny Worricker, there is something about the character that is ever so moreish even though the films are fairly average.

Turks & Caicos
Dir: David Hare
2014
****
Turks & Caicos or the continued adventures of Johnny Worricker. I'm loving this series of films I have to admit. David Hare's direction has improved ever so slightly since Page Eight but then again, he did have the beautiful Island of Turks & Caicos at his disposal. The performances are still the main reason to watch and they certainly upped the ante with the cast; Dylan Baker, James Naughton and Zach Grenier make for great bad guys, Christopher Walken makes for a great is he/isn't he foe, Helena Bonham Carter is a very welcome new love interest and I have to say Winona Ryder pretty much steals the show as a broken women caught in the middle of a dastardly business venture. Bill Nighy is on form as always and my favorite character from the first played by Ewan Bremner makes a welcome return. It's not quite Smiley's people but it's getting pretty darn close.

Page Eight
Dir: David Hare
2011
****
David Hare is a brilliant screenwriter. The excellent script has been handed to the best suited actors, all who deliver stellar performances. It's just the direction that lets it down somewhat. There are so many great scenes on paper that all come to less than they deserve on screen. There are elements of John le Carré/George Smiley here and I really enjoyed it, it's just that with the right director this could have had a cinema release and it should have been something greater than it is. Watch it for the script and the performances though and you won't feel let down.