‘Back In Action’ Cast And Characters Guide

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Netflix’s latest action comedy, Back In Action, boasts a stacked cast filled with heavyweight actors, but unfortunately, like numerous such forgettable OTT ventures, their talents are completely wasted by an unimaginative script. The movie focuses on a spy couple who leave their old life to turn a new page and decide to settle for a peaceful family life, only for the situation to spiral out of control and drag them back into the game. Instead of trying something new with this age-old premise, the movie mostly depends on nostalgia pandering through extremely dated characterization, which is seemingly drawn straight out of unfunny sitcoms. The makers perhaps intended the tone to be family friendly, but the way they went about it turned the movie into something that feels more like a caricature than an organic venture. There is a possibility that a sequel entry gets made, given there are several unresolved plot threads by the end, and I hope the next time the makers learn their lesson and put emphasis on better writing. 


Emily, Played By Cameron Diaz

Superstar Cameron Diaz has been a part of several high-profile projects since the late nineties and needs absolutely no introduction. Beginning her silver screen journey with The Mask, she has starred in acclaimed, diverse genre movies like Vanilla Sky, Gangs of New York, Charlie’s Angels, Knight and Day, and Bad Teacher, to name a few—proving herself to be as adept in action roles as she is in comedic and dramatic character portrayals. After retiring from acting back in 2014, she makes her return with the movie in discussion, Back In Action, where she portrays the role of Emily, a skilled spy who falls in love with her colleague, Matt, and together with her partner, decides to turn a new page in their lives by starting a new family. Emily shares an estranged relationship with her mother, Ginny, and the negligence she faces from her mother results in Emily growing strong attachment issues with her own children. Emily fails to recognize the fact that her teenage daughter deserves privacy as she feels the need to be present in Alice’s life and not repeat the same mistake her own mother made. While doing so, Emily fails to differentiate between parental concerns and encroachment of privacy. Eventually, Emily is able to reconcile with Alice after mending her own broken relationship with Ginny. 


Matt, played by Jamie Foxx

Aside from being a talented actor, Jamie Foxx is a proper comedian and has tried his hand at music and filmmaking as well. Some of his most notable work includes roles in Collateral, Ray, Ali, Django Unchained, and Miami Vice, to name a few. In the movie, Jamie Foxx plays the role of Matt Tanner, a wisecracking, happy-go-lucky spy, husband of Emily Tanner, and father to Leo and Alice. Not much is revealed about Matt’s past, except for the fact that he grew up without having the chance of being part of a family, and after learning that he is going to be a father himself, Matt shoulders the parental responsibilities right off. In the movie, Matt doesn’t have a proper arc in that sense and mostly plays the role of second fiddle to Emily. 


Ginny Jones, Played By Glenn Close

Veteran actor Glenn Close is a revered name on Broadway and the silver screen, having appeared in numerous critically acclaimed ventures throughout her five decades long-acting career. Some of her best work includes roles in The Big Chill, Dangerous Liaisons, Air Force One, and 101 Dalmatians, where he played the role of Cruella de Vil. In Back In Action, Glenn plays the role of Emily’s estranged mother, Ginny Jones, a much-revered former member of MI6. Ginny’s sense of responsibility towards her profession supersedes her concerns over her own family, which contributes to Emily suffering lifelong abandonment issues. Beneath her tough-as-nails demeanor, Ginny is a remorseful mother who knows how badly she messed up back then. Finally, Ginny is able to reconnect with her daughter and becomes an active part of their family.


Chuck Andrews, Played By Kyle Chandler

Actor Kyle Chandler has taken on a number of memorable small-screen roles through the years—in series like Grey’s Anatomy, Home Front, and Early Edition, his contributions were significant as an actor. In the movie, he plays the role of Chuck, former CIA member and handler of Matt and Emily, who turns vengeful after his own life goes down the gutter following the spy couple’s decision to retire. Chuck’s characterization is oddly comical and one-note, which, in a way, is a major disservice to the actor’s talent. 


Baron Andrews, Played By Andrew Scott

Irish actor Andrew Scott gained prominence with his performance as Sherlock Holmes’ archenemy, Moriarty, in the BBC’s Sherlock, and for playing the priest in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag. In the movie, he plays the role of Baron Andrews, an MI6 agent who is hopelessly enamored with Emily, and that’s about it when it comes to his characterization. Such a waste of a talented actor like him, who could have easily taken the narrative to a bold direction with his performance, had the script made space for him. 


Nigel, Played By Jamie Demetriou

English actor/comedian Jamie Demetriou has previously starred in Fleabag and Stath Lets Flats and flamboyantly showcases his comedic flair in Back In Action with the role of Nigel, an MI6 aspirant who happens to be Ginny’s present boyfriend. Even though his character is written poorly as well, Jamie seems to be in his element even with a brief screen time. 


Siddhartha Das
Siddhartha Das
An avid fan and voracious reader of comic book literature, Siddhartha thinks the ideals accentuated in the superhero genre should be taken as lessons in real life also. A sucker for everything horror and different art styles, Siddhartha likes to spend his time reading subjects. He's always eager to learn more about world fauna, history, geography, crime fiction, sports, and cultures. He also wishes to abolish human egocentrism, which can make the world a better place.


 

 

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