Travis Simpkins: Salt (2010): Angelina Jolie

Friday, November 23, 2018

Salt (2010): Angelina Jolie

In 2007, the writers and producers of an unmade Spy film called Edwin A. Salt, were in talks with Tom Cruise to play the title character. Cruise backed out, however, fearing it was too similar to his Mission Impossible role. At that same time Columbia Pictures execs expressed an interest in Angelina Jolie to play a "bond girl" role in another film. Jolie stated that she was "more interested in playing James Bond himself instead." This half-joke started up the idea for a female Spy franchise. Writer Brian Helgeland was hired to rework the Edwin A. Salt script that Tom Cruise had turned down, and make the title character a woman. The resulting film with a shortened title, Salt (2010), showcased Angelina Jolie is her bad-ass glory. Her flawless beauty is still on display, but takes a secondary role to the mystique, fine acting and well-disciplined stunt work she does so well. The dedication Jolie has for her craft is truly admirable.

Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), a CIA agent, is accused of being a Soviet sleeper agent by a Russian defector under interrogation. The man states that Salt is planning to assassinate the Russian president in Washington, D.C. She denies the allegation as ridiculous, but the other CIA agents aren't taking any chances... and nothing is as it seems.