Black Doves

It's an action thriller with many of the ingredients that could make it a memorable film this Christmas season.

The performance of the main actors is commendable. You have Keira Knightley, Ben Wishaw, Sarah Lancashire and, to a certain extent, action star Andrew Koji. Cinematography and camera work are great. The source material is plausible. Directing is satisfactory.

But there's this thing about its plot development that detracts from a thorough enjoyment of the series. If you need extended scenes to to explain who did what, when and why in a rather straightforward exposition, then something is wrong with it. The story should not leave the viewer in the dark for too long. In this case, the answers came belatedly. It didn't have the effect of increasing the suspense if that was the intention. The belated exposition was a disappointment. It would have been better if the viewer unraveled the questions in his/her mind as the narrative progressed, and not spoon-fed to him/her.

At any rate, putting this issue aside, this is still an enjoyable work, one that suggests a second season is coming.