Relay

Directed by David Mackenzie, Relay follows a professional fixer (Riz Ahmed’s Ash) as he attempts to help a would-be whistleblower (Lily James’ Sarah) return her damaging materials to her employer – with complications arising in the form of several nefarious pursuers (led by Sam Worthington’s nefarious bad guy). It’s compelling subject matter that’s employed to erratic yet mostly engaging effect by Mackenzie, as the fimmmaker, armed with a script by Justin Piasecki, delivers a low-key thriller that benefits from its intriguing setup and raft of stirring performances – with, in terms of the latter, Ahmed’s commanding central turn certainly matched by costars James and Worthington. (Worthington makes for an impressively menacing villain, that’s for sure.) There’s little doubt, then, that Relay’s overall impact is lessened slightly by an overlong running time (ie the narrative isn’t as taut as it one might’ve hoped), and it’s clear, as well, that the emphasis on the romantic tension between Ahmed and James’ respective characters isn’t quite as enthralling as Mackenzie has intended (although, to be fair, this aspect of the proceedings does make more sense in the wake of certain third-act developments). By the time the surprising and almost incongruously action-packed final stretch rolls around, Relay has cemented its place as a solid endeavor that does feel like it could (and should) be better.

*** out of ****