With inter-twining stories detalining the unscrupulous rules that govern foreign espionage after the Cold War, TRADE ROUTES is a brazen look at current international politics and American foreign policy. Set against an Eastern European nation's election, in a country that a few short years ago was the most notorious communist dictatorship, the film charts the paths of five characters; An aging CIA officer relegated to an outpost due to his scandalous connections to rendition and torture; A young attractive economic advisor who seeks out the toughest assignment to proof her worth, as an economic advisor at the US Bulgarian embassy; The ambitious Bulgarian Prime Minister's chief of staff - facing a tough re-election; An American political consultant "hired to fix" the prime minister's election; and a retired member of the Bulgarian Communist State Police... these five character destinies intertwine in the weeks leading up to the elections in a fledgling democracy, exposing the human costs of political power-brokering, through the secret exchanges between nations.
N**T
Better than its own blurb suggests
Well made, with an interesting plot. Two negative aspects: subtitles for half the movie -- if I want to read a story I'll get a book; it felt quite rushed, and it was good enough to be at least twice as long -- George Martin ("Game of Thrones"), at the other extreme, would have made it twelve seasons long. Other than those two things it was an absorbing 100 minutes that was certainly closer to reality than the great majority of "spy" movies, and points out, without belaboring it, that The CIA works out of State Dept. facilities (which former directors James Woolsey and Michael Hayden concede, indirectly, via their recommendations of the novel "Agents of Innocence").
L**.
Hero's or no hero's?
In Bulgaria there are undercover agents, political manipulators and bankers chasing something. What? Most of all, the many interested parties had me wondering who was doing the right thing. Its a complicated movie to understand and every word needed to be heard if I could, so closed captioning helped me hear what was said when certain characters started mumbling or just unintelligible. Not sure what happened but the movie ended and I had to look it up on IMDB to remember what it was I watched.
H**S
Trade Routes
a very interesting and realistic picture about life in Sofia,Bugaria//fiendishly demanding yourrapt attention. it is good to see Marina Sirtis again,after so many years on that TV Star Trekshow. worth watching if only for the fiendishly clever way this picture keeps your raptattention.
W**E
but you really have to be interested in Eastern Europe to enjoy.
5 stars, but you really have to be interested in Eastern Europe to enjoy.
O**R
Not my favorite
If you really have nothing to do then you can watch this movie.
T**S
Five Stars
Well done intelligent picture with terrific cast and exotic locales.
S**Y
One Star
You keep thinking it will get better, but it never does. Do not waste your time
F**D
Enjoyed it, believable, events depicted in this movie I'm sure happen often
Eastern European spy movie
Trustpilot
1 week ago
2 months ago
