The Union

The Union, produced by Netflix and directed by Julian Farino, is an action film that brings together two of Hollywood's biggest stars, Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, in what could have been an explosive cocktail of suspense, romance and action. However, despite its narrative potential and perfect casting, the film proves to be a major disappointment, struggling to stand out in a cinematic landscape already saturated with similar productions and seeming to break out of the same Netflix mold.

The story of The Union begins on a promising note, with an action sequence inspired by the classics of the genre, set in the picturesque town of Trieste, Italy. Roxanne Hall (Halle Berry), an experienced spy, leads a delicate mission for the eponymous secret organization, The Union. But within the first few minutes, it becomes clear that the film is going to get bogged down in a series of clichés and plot shortcuts that will severely hamper its development.

The main plot rests on a rather absurd premise: Roxanne, after failing to retrieve sensitive information during a mission, decides to recruit Mike McKenna (Mark Wahlberg), her former high school boyfriend, now a construction worker in New Jersey, to help her save the world. The pretext put forward is that Mike, being a complete stranger to the world of intelligence, would be the ideal agent for this mission of the utmost importance. This idea, already hard to swallow on paper, becomes even more far-fetched on screen, especially when we see the scale of the challenges Mike faces, with no prior training whatsoever.

Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry are seasoned actors, each having proven their talent many times in the past. However, in The Union, their potential is severely under-exploited. Mark Wahlberg, who usually excels in roles of ordinary people finding themselves in extraordinary situations, seems disinterested here, delivering a performance that sorely lacks conviction. His character, Mike McKenna, is underdeveloped, and his narrative arc - that of an ordinary man becoming a super-spy in a matter of weeks - is hardly credible.

Halle Berry, for her part, plays a seasoned and charismatic spy, but her character lacks complexity and nuance. Roxanne Hall could have been a strong, inspiring female figure, but she's relegated to a secondary role where she essentially has to guide an overwhelmed Mike. The chemistry between the two actors is virtually non-existent, and attempts to rekindle their former romance fall flat, rendering any emotional dynamic between them insipid and unconvincing.

The Union's screenplay, written by Joe Barton and David Guggenheim, seems to accumulate the clichés of the genre without ever attempting to subvert or deepen them. From Mike's express training as a super-spy to the clumsy infiltration of illegal auctions, every plot twist seems borrowed from other action films, and often executed in a far less inspired manner. The total lack of suspense or originality in the action scenes is particularly striking. Sequences that are supposed to be thrilling, such as car chases through London or fights with mercenaries, are filmed with such banality that they quickly become tiresome. The film lacks innovative, memorable action scenes. As a result, we get the impression that Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg are only here to collect a multi-zero paycheck, without really investing themselves in their characters.

The film also tries to introduce some humorous elements to lighten the mood, but these attempts generally fall flat. The jokes are predictable, often heavy-handed, and lack subtlety, which only reinforces the impression of a film designed to satisfy an undemanding audience, ready to accept content without surprise or depth.

Julian Farino, best known for his work in television, notably on series such as Entourage and Ballers, seems overwhelmed here by the scope of the project. His direction is functional, but sorely lacking in style and originality. The action scenes, which should be the heart of the film, are shot in a mechanical fashion, lacking any energy or inventiveness. Even the picturesque European settings, which could have added a touch of glamour to the film, are underused, reduced to mere backgrounds in a series of generic, interchangeable scenes.

Julian Farino also seems to struggle to maintain a steady pace, and the film suffers from several empty passages where the action stagnates, making the 105-minute viewing time laborious. The absence of a clearly defined tone is another major flaw in The Union. The film oscillates awkwardly between action comedy, spy thriller and romance, without ever managing to establish itself in one of these genres. The result is a disoriented film that seems to be constantly searching for its identity without ever finding it.

Ultimately, The Union is a deeply frustrating work. With a first-rate cast, a substantial budget and an attractive international setting, the film could have been a resounding success. Yet, due to a weak plot, poorly developed characters and lacklustre direction, it fails to captivate or entertain in any meaningful way. The film simply recycles tried-and-tested formulas without ever transcending them, offering mediocre entertainment that will be quickly forgotten. For action movie fans looking for an engaging cinematic experience, The Union fails to live up to expectations. It's a film that, despite its ambitions, remains a prisoner of its own banality, offering an adventure as bland as it is predictable. The Union is proof that quantity does not always rhyme with quality when it comes to the many Netflix productions.

The Union
Directed by Julian Farino
Written by Joe Barton, David Guggenheim
Story by David Guggenheim
Produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Jeff Waxman
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, Mike Colter, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica De Gouw, Alice Lee, Jackie Earle Haley, J. K. Simmons
Cinematography : Alan Stewart
Edited by Pia Di Ciaula
Music by Rupert Gregson-Williams
Production company : Municipal Pictures
Distributed by Netflix
Release date : August 16, 2024
Running time : 107 minutes

Viewed on August 16, 2024 (Netflix)

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