Salt

****
Release Date: August 20th 2010

A CIA agent goes on the run after a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy.

Director: Phillip Noyce (The Bone Collector, Patriot Games)

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor

According to a source through IMDB, Salt 'was originally written with Salt as a male (Edwin A. Salt), and Tom Cruise was approached to play him. Ultimately, he backed out and the script was rewritten with a female lead and Angelina Jolie was cast.'

What western cinema needs more than ever is a strong female lead in the action/adventure genre. Others have tried and been less successful in popularity like Columbiana and Haywire to name a few. Salt trumps these with the fantastic lead that is Angelina Jolie. With a back catalogue that includes Wanted, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Tomb Raider, Jolie is the right actress for the role.

To enjoy Salt for the first time the only information you'll need is the blurb above. Salt always leaves its viewers reveling in the unknown. Questions are raised multiple times. It's safe to know that even though ambiguity is ripe throughout Salt ultimately answers the questions we ask. Evelyn Salt leaves a trail of shocks and twists. Everything comes unexpectedly.

Teaming up with Jolie comes great supporting cast from Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor. No one can pull off absolute bemusement (when it comes to Evelyn's actions) more than these guys. Evelyn is effortlessly unstoppable, relying on sheer brutality and emotional output. For the most part, Jolie has little dialogue. This works in her favour, as the mysteriousness shrouding Salt is deftly captivating.

Overview: Salt is uniquely unpredictable and a burst of fresh energy that Hollywood has lacked lately. An anticipated sequel is (hopefully) in the works.