Espionage, long on talk, short on action
“The Whistle Blower” is an espionage drama heightened by the relationship between a father and son. It focuses on the extremes to which a secretive world will go to protect itself.<br /><br />In the wake of the discovery that an employee of GCHQ, the British version of the CIA, is a double agent, an atmosphere of paranoia and extreme vigilance pervades the organization. Bob (Nigel Havers), a young linguist specializing in Russian translation, questions the morality of the new mandate that employees watch and report on each other. Bob enjoys his work but has become disillusioned with the agency and wants to leave the world of government-sanctioned snooping. He feels GCHQ has become too much like the KGB.<br /><br />Bob’s father, Frank Jones (Michael Caine), a Korean War veteran who sacrificed a promising career in the military, is the widowed proprietor of a London typewriter and word processor store. A patriot at heart, Frank advises Bob to stick with the job, since his work is vital to British security. Frank subsequently is informed that Bob has died in a fall from a roof and his death has been deemed either an accident or suicide. Suspicious, Frank begins his own investigation to uncover the truth.<br /><br />Directed by Simon Langton, “The Whistle Blower” is based on a novel by John Hale. Its lengthy opening sequence is an official ceremony in London honoring those who died for their country. A parade with regiments and a band in dress uniforms assemble at the Tomb of the Fallen. Then gradually, we’re introduced to the characters. Initially, we see family and friends interacting with no indication of conflict. When Bob and Frank take a long walk, Bob expresses his concerns and we learn that he’s one of the anonymous people who contribute to keeping the nation safe. Eventually, other characters come into play and that’s when things get murky.<br /><br />James Fox and Gordon Jackson portray higher-ups in the British government and Barry Foster plays Frank’s wartime buddy. Are these the good guys? Or are they double agents? The confusion may be intentional, but it’s often hard to follow plot developments. The script is overly reliant on dialogue, and even though director Langton stages scenes in assorted locations, the ponderous verbiage becomes tedious. What the film could use is action. Though this is not intended as a James Bond-style thriller, a bit of derring-do would have helped to sustain viewer interest. There are, however, some surprises.<br /><br />Rather than building to a dramatic climax, the movie just peters out, ending with the same public ceremony, seen a year later, that opened the movie. The idea was to emphasize that many lives have been lost fighting in wars but many others sacrificed their lives unheralded.<br /><br />Caine conveys a quiet dignity as Frank. When his son is killed, he associates it with Bob’s dissatisfaction with work and desire to leave the agency. Conducting an unofficial investigation with the incisiveness of Sherlock Holmes, he employs methods ranging from asking officials basic questions to getting an old friend drunk and confronting a high-ranking British intelligence officer (John Gielgud, in a single scene cameo) in his own home. Caine plays Frank in an understated manner. Occasionally we see him tear up when he thinks of his deceased son, but he never loses his temper. His calm, measured approach gets results.<br /><br />Evers plays Bob as pleasant and bookish. Bob has become involved with a married woman and her child. He does his translations for GCHQ routinely, regarding them as all in a day’s work, somewhat naive about the ramifications of his work. Recent rule changes have made him uncomfortable. He wants out.<br /><br />The only bonus features on this Region A Blu-ray release are several theatrical trailers.
The movie title "The Whistle Blower [Blu-ray]," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.1 from 214 reviewers. 
It features elements such as [], and it is priced at $13.99.

This title falls under the categories of Movies & TV, Blu-ray and Movies. 
The additional details include the following in key-value format :
 {"Genre": "Action & Adventure", "Format": "NTSC, Subtitled, Anamorphic", "Contributor": "Michael Caine, John Gielgud, James Fox", "Language": "English", "Runtime": "1 hour and 43 minutes", "MPAA rating": "PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)", "Product Dimensions": "0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.12 Ounces", "Media Format": "NTSC, Subtitled, Anamorphic", "Run time": "1 hour and 43 minutes", "Release date": "October 27, 2020", "Actors": "Michael Caine, John Gielgud, James Fox", "Studio": "KL Studio Classics", "Country of Origin": "USA", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : Screen legend Michael Caine (The Ipcress File, The Holcroft Covenant) gives a riveting performance as an ordinary man caught in a web of corruption and murder in this gripping, taughtly handled and highly charged espionage thriller. English patriot and army vet Frank Jones (Caine) is only mildly concerned when his son Bob, who works for the British Secret Service, says dirty dealings are afoot at the agency. But then Bob is murdered under mysterious circumstances. And Frank’s inquiries thrust him in the middle of a rat’s nest of government deceit that reaches up through the ranks to a traitorous spy (John Gielgud, Murder by Decree) whose secret could cost Frank his own life as well. James Fox (Performance), Nigel Havers (Empire of the Sun), Barry Foster (Frenzy) and Gordon Jackson (The Great Escape) co-star in this suspenseful and intelligent political thriller directed by Simon Langton (Smiley’s People) that will keep you guessing until the very last frame.Special Features:-Brand New 2K Master -Theatrical Trailer -Dual-Layered BD50 Disc -Optional English Subtitles.