Movie Review: Soderbergh’s sleek spy thriller ‘Black Bag’ crackles

If you’re hosting a dinner for half a dozen British intelligence agents with the aim of ferreting out a mole, what should you cook? So goes much of the crackling patter of “Black Bag,” Steven Soderbergh’s delicious marital drama cloaked as a sleek spy thriller. Lean and taut, the 93-minute “Black Bag” is more a sizzling amuse-bouche than full-course meal, but it’s simmered to perfection. When George asks where Kathryn is flying off to on Wednesday, she shrugs with a smile, “Black bag.” In the movie’s opening scene – a slinky tracking shot that trails George into and out of a nightclub – an agent named Meacham gives him the assignment to track down the mole, with the added wrinkle that Kathryn can’t be dismissed as a possible suspect. If she gets into trouble, I will do everything in my power to extricate her.” In her response, Clarissa speaks for everyone: “That’s so hot.” “Black Bag,” a Focus Features release is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for language including some sexual references, and some violence.