*Heads of State* is a thrilling story of geopolitical adventure that skillfully incorporates high action with touching ideas of leadership, trust and loyalty. Never-ending speed and multi-level plot make it the viewers want to be put on their toes, as two unlikely pairs of allies a U.S. President and an English Prime Minister happen to be caught in the net of conspiracy and threat. The motion picture is opening up the delicacy of diplomacy and the human misfortune of political conflict, touching the heartstrings of the audience through highlighting the strength and sacrifices necessary to combat the turmoil of defending national security situations.
Acting is well done, and the main characters can present rich and subtle characters trapped in the dangerous situations. There are other supporting characters such as Noelle Bisset and Marty Comer who contribute to the moral depth and strength as the story is made richer with their strength and self doubts. The direction has an easy flow transitioning between explosive and rote and action, with intersecting notes of intimacy in some of the most tension-filled moments, and the cinematography and production design lends the story the sense of existing in true-to-life settings with a contrasting stylish interiors of government spaces and rocky European landscape. Among the visual techniques, the movie promotes paranoia and suspicion by resourcefully construction a level of fear through the choice of light and camera angles, by placing viewers in the environment where each shadow is potentially dangerous.
To sum it all up, *Heads of State* left me excited and thoughtful. In addition to its exciting action scenes and intelligent twists, it explores the human elements of leadership, and those are trust, betrayal, and what some leaders are prepared to not accomplish the goals of security. It sometimes relies on rather common tropes, but it has its character-driven narration and emotional core that goes beyond the usual. It is a stark testimony to the fact that what one needs in the times of crisis is strength under the pressure of adversity, heartfelt relationships, and steely-eyed determination.
