Movie Review: Role Play

It’s not unusual to immediately compare movies with the same storyline especially when they’re released in tandem.

Quick Recap

Emma/Ana is an assassin for hire who’s taken to being a wife, step mum and mum. Despite enjoying her family, she still has to play her part to ensure her cover is not blown. Things go well, at least for a while until her cover gets blown.

I put off watching this movie for a while because I wasn’t sure what to expect. (I avoid trailers these days).

I reckon that I may have just described the entire movie and I apologise, but that is sincerely the plot. The other movie that came to mind was Family Plan starring Mark Wahlberg.

Both movies had the same layout: a former killer who turns to the good side, gets a family, has their cover blown and finally opens up to them.

In the case of Role Play, Emma doesn’t actually have a clean slate. She still drops bodies, at least twice a year in a bid to pay for their protection.

I’ll focus on this one and stop the comparison.

My Thoughts

The movie was okay. It wasn’t particularly intriguing as one could smell the end from the beginning, but it’s a cool family movie. The action scenes were cool, but not enough to substantiate the storyline.

When she bailed on them in a bid to save them, my mind immediately went to Mark. Think about it. You are an assassin who decided to have a life. Would it not make sense that you would have backup passports for your family in hand in case shit goes sideways? Having to travel to Germany to get the passports felt so ill equipped for a badass assassin.

Plus, there’s the bar scene where they’re surrounded and she goes, “I have a plan” only to get drugged and dragged to the enemies quarter. I had half expected the villain to be her mum, but close enough she was her adopted trainer.

The Cast

I was surprised with the cast. David Oyelowo and Kaley Cuoco? Really. I would have expected something more considering these actors movie history, but oh, well. We get what we get.

Was it fun to watch? Yes.

Did it have any shocking moments? No.

Does it have a good rewatch value? Absolutely not. Once is more than enough.

Is it good to fill in your time? Yes. Knock yourself out.