‘A Compassionate Spy’ Review — A Decently Thrilling Documentary

Coming right off of the critical and box office success of Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece Oppenheimer is another film focusing on the building of the first atomic bomb and the lasting implications of the possibility of nuclear annihilation.

This latest critique on this pivotal moment in history tells the story of Ted Hall, a renowned scientist that gets chosen to work on the Manhattan Project at the age of 18. In fact, he was the youngest man on the project. Once he begins to learn the actual details and becomes horrified, he secretly passes on information to the Soviet Union, fearing the inevitable consequences of such a deadly weapon in the hands of the U.S. As the film later points out, though, his initial loyalty towards the Soviet Union eventually shifts once he becomes aware of Stalin’s cruelty.

Oscar-nominated director Steve James (mostly known for Hoop Dreams and Life Itself) helms A Compassionate Spy. It’s a fairly engaging, authentic and solidly constructed retelling of Hall’s life working as a spy alongside his best friend Saville Sax, his liberal and progressive politics, the FBI’s attempts to arrest him for treason and his marriage to Joan Hall: the crucial anchor in his life and beating heart of the film.

James cuts between modern-day interviews with a widowed Joan, the remaining family members and an interview with Ted before he passed away in 1999. James also uses archival footage and filmed re-enactments to further dramatize and contextualize this moment in time. With as much information and knowledge as the viewer gets thrown at them for 101 minutes, it’s hard not to feel underwhelmed (and somehow simultaneously overwhelmed) by the brevity in James’ attempt to cover as much ground as possible.

The main driving anchor here is, as the title implies, Ted’s work as a spy, but the narrative jumps around so much that the clear focus disintegrates. There are intriguing threads that pop up: the specific manner of codes and letters that Ted and Saville used to communicate, Ted and his family realizing they are being watched closely by the FBI, America’s shut down of left-leaning and revolutionary ideas during the Red Scare — among many others. It’s a shame, then, that all of these interesting storylines get cut short. A more dedicated throughline here would’ve made this documentary truly come to life.

Whereas Hoop Dreams stands the test of time for its innovative editing techniques and storytelling, James’ latest project never quite emotionally captivates the viewer as much as it merely informs them about historical events.

The unnecessary staged reenactments are especially a weak spot, the acting feeling equal parts forced and superficial. If James had chosen to lean more into archival footage instead, the story could’ve been significantly more engaging to watch unfold. Thankfully, these scenes don’t take up too much screen time in the long run.

The documentary begins to find its voice and a real sense of momentum in the second half, especially as viewers get to watch the remaining family members reconnect in contemplating both Ted and Saville’s legacies. It’s in these organic, lived moments between the living people closest to the film’s subject matter that James finds the “why” behind the entire film. The unanswered questions of Ted’s life that linger, the lasting impact of the difficult decisions he made and the danger that the world will forever find itself in due to the nuclear arms race all stick in the viewer’s head. It’s just unfortunate that everything before these moments feels more akin to a Wikipedia retelling — albeit a well-written summary.

Overall, A Compassionate Spy makes for a decent and interesting companion piece to Oppenheimer. The film can’t quite escape its feeling of being ripe for a TV special rather than a true theatrical experience. However, it’s still worth checking out for anybody interested in learning more about The Manhattan Project.

A Compassionate Spy will debut in theaters an on VOD on August 4, 2023 courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZkCqs_ZI7A]