Argylle is making it into my February romance movie reviews under a technicality. There is a bit of a romance in there, even though it’s not the main plotline. Also, I just wanted to talk about it a bit.

Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) is the author of the popular spy novel series starring Agent Argylle. After her most recent book release, she meets Aidan Wilde (Sam Rockwell), who claims to be a real life spy trying to save her life. When his claims turn out to be true, Elly and Aidan travel around the world trying to bring down the evil Division, headed by Director Ritter (Bryan Cranston).

First, let me say that I didn’t pay attention to the whole “who is the real Elly Conway” controversy. I knew that the Argylle book that was released in the real world was nothing more than a marketing plot for the movie. Marvel did the same thing when they released “Look Out For The Little Guy” by Scott Lang for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. (Yes, I own that book and, yes, the author’s name on the book is Scott Lang not Paul Rudd or the ghostwriter.) It makes much more sense than thinking Taylor Swift took time out of recording albums and touring to write a book under someone else’s name.

As for the movie itself, I went in expecting something that would be entertaining but not amazing. And that is about what it is. There is some terrible dialogue, there is some really really awful dancing, and there are a lot of scenes that are there to look pretty not make sense. The big plot twist is easy to predict but the acting isn’t too bad. The problem lies more with the script and how scenes are shot over anything else. I think the movie would have been a lot better if they went with the twist they promised in the trailers over the one they actually used.

I didn’t hate it. I didn’t love it. And I probably wouldn’t watch it again. As for the romance, it felt forced and unnecessary. It would have been better if they had fallen in love naturally. Maybe they need to watch some Hallmark movies.

Rating: C