"Salt" is a 2010 American action thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, featuring Angelina Jolie in the titular role. The film follows CIA operative Evelyn Salt, who is accused of being a Russian sleeper agent and goes on the run to clear her name. With its intense action sequences and a gripping plot, "Salt" has garnered attention for its portrayal of espionage and the complexities of identity.
Plot Overview
The story begins with Evelyn Salt being held captive in North Korea, suspected of espionage. After a prisoner exchange, she returns to the U.S., only to be accused by Russian defector Oleg Orlov of being a sleeper agent known as "KA-12." Orlov claims that Salt is part of a covert Russian operation to assassinate the U.S. president. Determined to prove her innocence, Salt goes on the run, leading to a series of high-octane chases and confrontations.
Main Characters
Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie): A dedicated CIA operative accused of being a Russian spy.
Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber): Salt's CIA colleague who becomes suspicious of her actions.
Darryl Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor): An ONCIX agent tasked with capturing Salt.
Oleg Orlov (Daniel Olbrychski): A Russian defector who accuses Salt of espionage.
Critical Reception
"Salt" received generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 62% based on 250 reviews, with an average rating of 6.00/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Angelina Jolie gives it her all in the title role, and her seasoned performance is almost enough to save Salt from its predictable and ludicrous plot." Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.
Box Office Performance
"Salt" was a commercial success, grossing $118.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $175.2 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $293.5 million. The film opened in 3,612 theaters, with a first-day gross of $12.5 million and an opening weekend total of $36.0 million, finishing behind "Inception," which made $42.7 million in its second weekend.
Awards and Nominations
"Salt" received one Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Mixing. It also won Best Action/Adventure Film at the Saturn Awards, with Angelina Jolie being nominated for Best Actress. The film was nominated for a Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture.
Conclusion
"Salt" offers a compelling narrative filled with suspense and action, driven by a strong performance from Angelina Jolie. Its exploration of themes like identity, loyalty, and deception keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. Whether you're a fan of action thrillers or espionage stories, "Salt" provides an entertaining cinematic experience.