The Covenant

Le réalisateur Guy Ritchie est décidément intéressant à suivre ces dernières années. En plus de réaliser des conneries commerciales bien foutues, il tourne çà et là un film « plus petit », de style dur et de bonne facture. Après The Gentlemen et Un homme en colère, voici The Covenant, qui n'est pas nécessairement le meilleur de la trilogie mentionnée, mais qui a encore réussi à transformer une bouffée de créativité en un moment de cinéma à l’avenant. Dans la première moitié, Ritchie raconte un drame de guerre quasi procédural, pour passer ensuite en mode John Woo et son action « bromance » exagérée dans la seconde moitié, laquelle culmine dans un long montage presque fétichiste sur l'énorme effort physique et émotionnel qu’un équipier peut déployer pour sauver son prochain. (28/05/2023)

The Covenant, où quand la testostérone et le caractère se rejoignent. Guy Ritchie surclasse Du sang et des larmes, le film d’action pure de Peter Berg, parce que The Covenant n’est pas un simple film d’action pure. Il bénéficie d’une histoire plus forte, ou plutôt, il est capable de tirer de son histoire un spectacle d’une plus grande profondeur dramatique, doublé d’une réflexion. La fusillade ne vient qu’en deuxième position. Le casting est judicieux et Jake Gyllenhaal livre une fois de plus une performance fantastique. Le thème du « buddy movie » avec Dar Salim s’exprime de façon minimaliste dans les gestes, mais il s’affirme d’autant plus puissamment au cœur de l’histoire. Des engagements et des principes inscrits dans un code d’honneur masculin à l’épreuve des balles. (19/05/2023)

Episode 1: The Trap. Episode 2: Survive. Episode 3: Conscience Glows Orange, Waiting for the Green Light from the Wife. Episode 4: Settled Debt. The first brings masculinity and testosterone, the second the calm strength of Dar Salim, in the third it becomes clear that the director isn't quite confident with characters free of exaggeration, and in the fourth, the commitment is fulfilled according to the expected last-minute notes. Ritchie is creatively stifled outside his islands, and in the last few slow-motion seconds, I wondered if he had handed over the director’s chair to Peter Berg, but as an example from the code of honor, which internally tells a person what is right to do, it had an impact on me. Just like when the Angel of Death appeared without the silhouette of flares that gave him his name. (23/05/2023)

It's refreshing to see Guy Ritchie tackle a more serious topic instead of his usual pop culture-heavy fare. The Covenant is a solid piece of filmmaking. The story of Afghan translators deserves attention — they risk not just their lives but also the safety of their loved ones. The film perfectly captures the war-torn atmosphere and delivers flawless action sequences, all underscored by a strong sense of honor. And as any man can attest, honor is the highest virtue we can offer. (23/12/2023)

Guy Ritchie and his war movie The Covenant! Anyone who likes these modern Afghan war dramas will not be disappointed here. It may not surpass it's related brethren in terms of genre, but it maintains a similar high standard of craftsmanship and that's the most important thing. The first half hour is slower, but then it picks up decently with a cool action sequence involving a Taliban ambush, culminating in an uncompromising survival drama with two great actors – Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim (great chemistry, fatality, manly words). It is a very suspenseful sequence with a thumping soundtrack where the viewer is slowly left breathless. The second half is a little different, but definitely not bad. Gyllenhaal shows off his acting skills to the max, and even though the action drops, it's still a very engaging and high quality film that culminates in another action intensive finale on a bridge. There's not much to fault the film, there's simply everything you'd expect from an proper and well made modern actioner. Admittedly I don't quite have the urge to see The Covenant again straight away as I did with 13 Hours of Benghazi or Lone Survivor, for example, which I have a notch above. But this one too is a great flick that shouldn't offend anyone. Ritchie is awesome and an expert on macho movies. Leave the women in the kitchen and The Covenant with a beer won’t disappoint. 8/10. (26/05/2023)