Film Review: OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE (2023): Guy Ritchie is Back with an Original and Intriguing Caper Film

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre Review

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Guy Ritchie, written by Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies and Guy Ritchie and starring Jason Statham, Hugh Grant, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone, Eddie Marsan, Peter Ferdinando, Lourdes Faberes, Sam Douglas, Tom Rosenthal, Oliver Maltman, Parker Sawyers and Tim Seyfi. 

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie is back with a globe-trotting new caper movie, Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre, which is in the vein of the 1998 Robert De Niro vehicle, Ronin except a bit lighter. Why do I mention that old De Niro movie which is turning 25 years old this year? Because it too featured a briefcase whose contents stir up the interest of a vast assortment of characters. Of course, thanks to the delightful comic talents of Aubrey Plaza, Ritchie’s new film is a bit different in style but still, there are some striking similarities between the two movies. This time out, the plot revolves around a much desired device known as “The Handle” which is obviously going to yield big bucks (think billions of dollars) by those who pursue it which is why the characters in the movie want to get their hands on it. What is it, exactly, though? That’s the billion dollar question. Literally.

Jason Statham stars in the new movie as Orson Fortune, a spy who would give James Bond a run for his money. Orson has some fears (such as claustrophobia) but carries a desire for fine wine and fancy modes of transportation. Orson is one who is enlisted while on vacation by the British Government’s Nathan Jasmine (the always reliable Cary Elwes) to intercept the desires of an arms dealer, Greg (Hugh Grant) to sell “The Handle.” Joining Orson on his mission is Plaza’s hacker character, Sarah, and sniper/location tracker, JJ Davies (Bugzy Malone). Sarah has jokes that lighten up the movie and even though, she may have to explain one or two of them, they keep the movie chock full of comic relief which is certainly welcome.

When the action of the movie takes to Cannes, the plot centers on an action movie star known as Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett has never been better) who our group blackmails into getting close to Greg. Danny gets the role of a lifetime as he tries to forge a bond with Greg in order to get deeper into specifics so he can help Orson and his crew get “The Handle” before all hell breaks loose. Orson takes a part in the action as well as he poses as Danny’s manager while Sarah takes on the role of Danny’s love interest.

Hugh Grant is perfectly cast in the role of Greg. Grant never fails to add his signature charisma to any part he plays and, this time out, the character is played to a tee making us laugh as we think our heroes can certainly outsmart him but Greg also may have a trick or two up his own sleeves.

This film has everything action fans could ask for from a terrific car chase scene to guns blazing. Statham has worked with Guy Ritchie before several times and is certainly well-cast. Aubrey Plaza is cast against type although she adds her unique style to her quirky (what else?) character here. It is Josh Hartnett, however, who surprises the most as he expertly (and hilariously) plays the actor in over his head who gets into more trouble than he bargained for.

There are plenty of flaws with Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre, however. The plot runs a little thin at times and the movie relies heavily on dialogue to move the action forward and the conversations occasionally fall flat. That being said, “The Handle” serves as an interesting device to propel the scenes forward while the revelation of what it is, exactly, is pretty interesting.

Grant, Hartnett and Plaza are obviously the most valuable players here. Statham, while good, could probably do his role in his sleep. Grant, Hartnett and Plaza are working overtime here to keep the momentum of the movie going and their performances should be duly noted for the actors’ dedicated commitment.

Guy Ritchie has done much better work than this new movie but it’s still a good time to be had for fans of the offbeat director. “The Handle” is an example of a plot point which can also make one reminiscent of the briefcase in Pulp Fiction. This time out, we do get to know a bit about what is in the briefcase but the characters aren’t all as well-defined as those in Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece. Still, Plaza, Hartnett and Grant elevate the material above what it could have been in lesser hands making Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre worth seeing.

Rating: 7/10

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