Film Pick of the Week: Relay - review by Yvette Huddleston
Relay Prime Video, review by Yvette Huddleston
This taut, expertly-scripted thriller, written by newcomer Justin Piasecki and directed by David Mackenzie, is set in New York and stars Riz Ahmed as Ash, a lone wolf operator who offers a specialist service to corporate whistleblowers.
People come to him when they have, for whatever reason, usually after having been threatened and intimidated by their former employer, decided not to go through with revealing the incriminating information they have in their possession and just want to be left alone. Ash brokers a lucrative deal – for himself and his client – which ensures that they both receive financial compensation and guarantees his client’s safety by keeping a copy of the evidence which will be released to the media, should the employer renege on the deal.
Ash employs a complicated, very effective system to conceal his own identity when he is communicating with all the relevant parties by using a ‘relay’ telephone service for the deaf, whereby callers type in messages which are then read aloud by telephone operators. No records are kept of what is said on the calls, which makes it the perfect communication system for Ash’s purposes. He uses various lock-ups to keep documents safe and is adept at adopting various disguises to ensure his own anonymity.
He is contacted by research scientist Sarah Grant (Lily James) who has evidence showing that the company she worked for has been covering up the harmful side effects of its genetically modified wheat. Having decided against going public, as she has been under constant surveillance by agents contracted by her former employer, Sarah wants to hand the documents back and get on with her life. Ash agrees to help her but he makes the mistake of becoming emotionally involved… The narrative also provides a brief glimpse into Ash’s life outside his work. He attends a weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting where he reveals a little about his past that provides clues as to why and how he has found himself in the position he is in.
Reminiscent of the kind of smart, pacy thrillers made in America the 1970s – such as Three Days of the Condor, Serpico or The French Connection – this delivers tension, thrills and action aplenty, with a particularly brilliant set piece at a classical concert. The performances from both Ahmed and James are terrific and even though they rarely appear on screen together, there is a lovely chemistry between them.