M Con

Uneven acting and story line dominate Doves, though it could have been terrific, implausibility and uneven editing keep it in the mediocre range. That said there are a few pluses: very nice to see smoothly integrated characters of many backgrounds, and sexual identities. There was some clever droll dialog between a few characters: Helen and Sam had decent energy, and some witty lines. Unfortunately, between Helen and husband Wallace there was no chemistry, and conversations between them were painful to watch. Sadly, Helen’s exchanges with lover Jason, were similar, no sexual tension, no spark, although there was lots of vacant hand grasping and longing gazes. The real fun in this torrent of mediocrity were the interactions between Williams and Eleanor two minor characters whose relationship shines, and exchanges are both witty and down to earth. Two hard luck kids, who have found a perfect partner in crime. From meeting to parting these two are worth watching. Lenny was another character who rises above the ashes. Lenny is Sam’s former boss and is an elder tracksuit wearing cigarette smoking small time syndicate boss, who contracts killers left and right from her booth at a local diner. Then we come to Mrs.Reed the dark sociopath and top Dove presumably, she dangles the strings from which Helen and Sam are hung, but turns out to be nothing more than a bland menace, she makes vague threats, and stares out into the distance a lot. Essentially, Helen loves her family, her privileged life, but puts it all at risk with her shenanigans, sloppy lies and spy craft. There is home intruder scene which is preposterous, and implausible. And Sam who has been away without a word for seven years reinserts himself into his former lover, Michael’s, life. Michael has a home and a young daughter to care for, but Sam drops by even while in the midst of a case. And Instead of keeping Michael safe by staying away he even ends up bringing wounded killers there for respite while Michael’s baby girl sleeps in the next room. Michael is such a wuss he allows the thugs to hang out and buy time overnight. What now? Hell no. These spies can’t locate a safe house or even cheap hotel to hang out in? Sam is always chewing his lip so he looks like a coke head instead of a calm killer. Helen can’t get over her lover’s murder and untold numbers of people die in order for her to quell her revenge, all whilst balancing going to fancy parties and attending her kids’ plays. Black doves could have been great, a rollicking and suspenseful spy blast. Sadly, as usual Netflix’s just doesn’t quite deliver.

Want a mindless mystery? This fills the bill- Sandler and Aniston portray a married couple that the passion has abandoned long ago- that part they get spot on. After making friends with a wealthy man on a plane ( the real question is why would this man have any interest in them- they are lackluster, at most mildly entertaining, and stereotypes of blue collar Americans) They get drawn in to a wealthy family’s quarrel, subsequent murder(s) and international intrigue- ho hum. What could have been an opportunity to mix comedy and murder mystery, devolves into 95 minutes of mediocre time wasting. Save yourself- rent Knives Out, or a classic Christie mystery.