Kenneth Branagh and Ryan Reynolds might feel like the ultimate odd couple, but Mayday brings them together for this Apple original film and it works. As two characters knee deep in Cold War counterintelligence, these common enemies make an unlikely connection that flourishes into friendship. Turning a two-dimensional spy thriller into something unexpected for audiences coming in.
Writer-directors John Francis-Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, best known for Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, have done more than churn out another leftfield buddy comedy with political pretensions. Mayday highlights Kenneth Branagh in ways that contemporary audiences would have ruled out and puts him in the ring with Ryan Reynolds, creating a cinematic happy accident.
On opposing sides of the Cold War line, both Reynolds and Branagh revel in some low-key chemistry moments that elevate Mayday effortlessly. With ensemble elements including the underrated David Morse, best known for scene stealing turns in World War Z, and Maria Bakalova to throw audiences a curveball, Mayday more than measures up. It may tread tried and tested ground embracing cliche on its journey through the East West ’80s paranoia of political relations, but Mayday never forgets to entertain.
Image Courtesy of Apple TV
This might not be another Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy but neither does it pretend to be. Reynolds has carved his career from playing sardonic characters with a quick comeback that often rub people the wrong way. There is an intellect behind the eyes which is reflected by his achievements outside of cinema, making Troy Kelly a character he can play with his eyes closed, but also turning this Apple original feels into a home run for him from the outset.
For that reason, if Mayday had a marquee, then Ryan Reynolds remains the undisputed headliner on this enterprise. Having done Spirited for Apple opposite Will Ferrell, Reynolds clearly has a good working relationship with them, and this thrilling spy comedy feels like a logical step up. As for Kenneth Branagh it is an excellent opportunity to diversify, opening other avenues up for the classical actor-writer-director.
Alongside minor roles in The Devil Wears Prada 2, Kenneth Branagh is clearly going after different audiences these days but having directed possibly the most revered version of Hamlet for cinema as well as adaptation of In the Bleak Midwinter and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Mayday represents a change of pace in his eclectic career. One that may pay dividends based on this evidence.
Mayday is now streaming on Apple TV.