Operation Mincemeat

Taking place far from the front lines of World War II, Operation Mincemeat still conveys a life-or-death urgency.

Although much of the backroom negotiating feels familiar, this handsomely mounted period piece from director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) balances the quirky nature of its true-life source material with a genuine sense of intrigue.

Detailing an elaborate ruse that shifted power during a pivotal point in the war, the film is told from the perspective of Ian Fleming (Johnny Flynn), the future James Bond creator who served in the British Navy during the 1940s.

He’s a periphery character in this saga detailing the daring instance of Nazi misdirection hatched by naval officers Montagu (Colin Firth) and Cholmondeley (Matthew Macfadyen) as a way of enabling British forces to penetrate occupied territory via the Italian island of Sicily.

Fearing the Nazis would anticipate the move, the duo schemes to plant fake documents on a corpse who would wash ashore in Spain, thus steering the false intel into the hands of Hitler’s minions. While outrageous, the plan meets with the approval of Winston Churchill (Simon Russell Beale).

Montagu’s superiors heighten their gossipy suspicions about alleged ulterior motives and conflicted loyalties. Yet despite such complications, Montagu remains committed. “The plan will work if we make it work,” he exclaims defiantly.

As the classified operation threatens to unravel, Montagu keeps his circle tight, including his longtime secretary (Penelope Wilton) and an intelligence assistant (Kelly Macdonald) eager to share ideas.

After some clunky exposition prompts a slow start, Madden’s film finds a rhythm by embracing the offbeat eccentricities inherent in its story while juggling disparate tones and genre elements.

The screenplay by veteran television writer Michelle Ashford, adapted from a Ben Macintyre novel, is structured like a breezy spy thriller with some clever and amusing twists. How much of it is embellished becomes irrelevant.

The characters generally aren’t as compelling as their actions. However, Firth’s richly textured performance commands the screen yet also effectively illustrates the inner conflict between loyalty to family and country when being forced to choose during times of conflict.

While it downplays the broader sociopolitical complexities and historical context, Operation Mincemeat stays on track during a maze of revelations in the final act. The exaggerations become part of the appeal.

Rated PG-13, 128 minutes.