Rogue Agent is the extraordinary and chilling story of career conman, Robert Freegard played by James Norton, with Gemma Arterton as Alice Archer, the woman who brought him down. Freegard was a master manipulator who convinced countless victims he was undercover MI5 in order to extort and kidnap them. He was at large for many years until he met the woman who would end his career. Initially falling for his charms, she became the architect of his downfall and her actions led to his conviction and arrest. A tale of lies, loyalty, fear and hope, this film will follow years of manipulation, investigation and the high-stakes manhunt that resulted in Freegard’s capture and saved the life of his final victim.
What We Thought:
I knew absolutely nothing about the people/story Rogue Agent is based on. I think that helped me enjoy the film because I had no idea where it was going, what the true story was or how it would end. I don’t know if it kept me on the edge of my seat, but I did enjoy it and was curious to see how it would end.
The story is about conman Robert Freegard who pretended to be a MI5 agent. He tricks three college kids into helping him track down some IRA agents at a college during the 1990s. After their cover is blown it fast forwards almost a decade where we are introduced to Gemma Arterton’s character. She is a lawyer who starts falling for a car salesman, Freegard. She has him looked into and he convinces her that he’s a spy and that his name is an alias because of it.
As the film unfolds you get to see who the man truly is and how he corrupted so many people. He took money from them, but suavely and almost effortlessly. Arterton’s lawyer believed the money was for a new business. One of the college girls still thought they were on missions. Another victim thought she needed to pay off her student loans for a job with him. Robert Freegard convinced everyone of something.
I won’t spoil the ending of Rogue Agent for those who don’t know the true story. Even towards the end Freegard did his best to get his way. It’s a pretty fascinating story especially the less you know about it. James Norton is good as Freegard and I’ve always enjoyed Arterton’s work. Sarah Goldberg of Barry fame is also in it so the cast is pretty solid. For something I knew absolutely nothing about it, I enjoyed the film.
The Nerds Templar 