The Union was released on August 16th of this year, exclusively on Netflix. It sits as of publishing at 44 on the metascore and 23% on the audience Tomatometer scores. For a short while, it was even number one on Netflix’s top 10 movies, a runaway success. The story centers around Mike McKenna, played by Mark Wahlberg, who’s chosen by his old girlfriend Halle Barry, played by Roxanne Hall, now an agent for the movie’s C.I.A. stand-in named The Union. Barry enlists the help of McKenna to recover a database with the identities of all government operatives including those of The Union.
There is a lack of logic and consistency throughout the movie. The script frequently fails to give characters consistent motivation. Originally McKenna wants to finish the job and go home, but once he is irrelevant, the reason he sticks around is never addressed. This issue persists with other characters throughout the story.
The movie tries to remedy its poor character writing with “interesting” concepts and dynamics, Using events like a love triangle, a rivalry between agencies and Mike learning to see his own potential, but fails to do so. Events happen based on the way characters act or logical means but as a means to add the genre stereotype of shootouts and car chases, and characters survive car crashes with a scratch on their chin and a headache.
Bad movies are common, and most often inconsequential, but when bad movies are rewarded so are the executives who greenlight them. They have little impact on how well a movie is received, only existing to make money. So please, do not watch The Union. The film has rightfully earned a miserable 1/5 from The Bengal’s Purr.
