Set in late-70s Sudan, this historical drama retells the true story of an undercover Mossad group who smuggled out thousands of Ethopian Jewish refugees utilising the eponymous resort, which they themselves operated, as cover. Very much a spiritual successor to Argo, writer-director Gideon Raff opts to lean into the can't-believe-this-happened element of the situation with a relatively light-hearted tone that sprinkles amusing moments throughout an otherwise solemn set of circumstances. That's definitely not to say Raff is underplaying the seriousness of the issue. There are a few pivotal scenes featuring heartbreaking atrocities that are made all the more potent due to their juxtaposition with the high-spirited moments. Cinematographer Roberto Schaefer plays a big part in creating the movie's vibe too; his glistening, sun-drenched photography of oceanside Sudan shows the beauty of a land devastatingly marred by gang-led conflict and massacres. Raff doesn't get everything right mind you, with a few narrative shortcuts and genre clichés stopping this from being truly excellent. There's an unclear passing of time that makes it difficult to get a sense of wear and tear on our protagonists, subsequently lessening our connection with them, whilst their traits seem to merely define their role within the team rather than actually provide insight into their character. Headlining as team-leader Ari Levinson, Chris Evans delivers a strong performance that doesn't shy away from the unlikeable aspects of his stubborn, arrogant risk-taking personality, but still puts his natural charm to good use. An interesting (if not always completely captivating) based-on-real-events yarn, The Red Sea Diving Resort is a decent choice next time you're browsing through Netflix for something to watch.
Review of The Red Sea Diving Resort
