Watch Jack Strong

Jack Strong is a Polish political thriller film directed by Władysław Pasikowski, released in 2014, and based on a true story. The movie tells the story of Ryszard Kukliński, a Polish military officer who, working as a colonel in the Polish Army during the height of the Cold War in the 1970s and 1980s, decided to collaborate with the CIA and MI6 to leak to them highly confidential information about the Soviet Union's military plans and strategies.

The film starts with Kukliński (played by the talented Marcin Dorocinski) being introduced as a highly respected officer within the Polish military establishment. However, he is highly critical of the Soviet Union, which he considers an aggressor force against Poland's sovereignty. Things take a turn when Kukliński is entrusted with highly confidential information that reveals the extent of the Soviet Army's preparations to launch an attack against NATO in Europe. This information prompts him to decide to secretly cooperate with the CIA and MI6 to leak this information to the West.

The movie does an excellent job of portraying the tension of the time, with the political climate deeply affected by the Cold War's pitting of world powers against each other. The film expertly illustrates the measures taken to ensure secrecy as Kukliński communicates with his foreign handlers through innovative means, using a typewriter with a unique message-coding system. The situation becomes even more dangerous as Kukliński's cover within the military is threatened, and his security becomes more at risk.

As Kukliński continues feeding information to the Americans and Brits, his double life begins to take its toll on his personal relationships. His wife (played by Maja Ostaszewska), who is unaware of Kukliński's activities, becomes increasingly frustrated with his frequent absences and secretive behavior. She tries to reach out to him, but he cannot tell her about his secret life, putting significant strains on their marriage.

The film also portrays the consequences of Kukliński's actions, as the information he provided proves to be instrumental in the US's ability to undertake a massive military buildup in Europe that played a critical role in ending the Cold War. However, Kukliński's decision to collaborate with foreign intelligence services also caused him to be seen as a traitor in Poland. The Polish authorities considered his actions to be a severe breach of national security, condemning him as a criminal, and sentencing him to death in absentia.

The acting in the movie is impressive, with Marcin Dorocinski delivering a commanding performance as Ryszard Kuklinski. He manages to show us a man torn between his love for his country and his duty to humanity while struggling to keep his double life from destroying his family. Maja Ostaszewska is also brilliant as his wife, delivering an emotionally charged representation of a wife whose marriage is straining due to her husband's dark secret.

In conclusion, "Jack Strong" is a gripping, intense, and suspenseful movie that takes us behind the scenes of one of the most significant events in modern history. It is an enthralling exploration of the human cost of espionage and politics, with the story of a man who had to put everything on the line for his beliefs. The movie does an excellent job of balancing tension with emotion, making us feel the weight of Kukliński's choices while also highlighting the stakes of the larger political landscape. The cinematography and direction are top-notch, and the score perfectly captures the mood of the era, making this a must-watch film for anyone interested in the Cold War or political thrillers in general.

Jack Strong is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.