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Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for The Jigsaw Man.

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WORTH WATCHING: MIXED
Editorial Verified

Is The Jigsaw Man Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1983)

Philip Kimberly, the former head of the British Secret Service who defected to Russia, is given plastic surgery and sent back to Britain by the KGB to retrieve some vital documents...

✨ The Quick Verdict

SKIP IT

If you are a fan of Thriller cinema, then The Jigsaw Man offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1983 landscape.

👥 Target Audience

Fans of Thriller films
casual viewers seeking light entertainment

📔 Detailed Analysis

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of The Jigsaw Man (1983), audiences are invited back into the world of Thriller. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Philip Kimberly, the former head of the British Secret Service who defected to Russia, is given plastic surgery and sent back to Britain by the KGB to retrieve some vital documents. With the documents in hand, he instead plays off MI6 and the KGB against each other."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In The Jigsaw Man, even the presence of Michael Caine struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Thriller. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Jigsaw Man worth your time? If you appreciate Thriller films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Jigsaw Man misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 94 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.

⏳ Time Investment

94MIN

At approximately 1.6 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.