CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) finds her reputation in tatters when a Russian defector accuses her of being a Soviet plant, in this action-driven espionage thriller with more than a hint of Cold War paranoia. Fearing for her arachnologist husband's life, and indeed her own, she hightails it, but this only increases suspicion that she's an enemy "sleeper". The movie does its best to keep us in suspense while delivering car chases, punch-ups and explosions at frequent intervals, and the destruction looks suitably expensive. The film was originally written for a male lead (Tom Cruise was lined up for the part), and although the leading lady struggles to convince us when knocking over sundry burly henchmen, the real problem's the script - a catalogue of borrowings from Jason Bourne and The Manchurian Candidate, but without the human element that makes us care about the characters. Although Angelina's star power is never in doubt, this is pacey and empty in just about equal measures.

As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt's efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: "Who is Salt?"