The minimal speaking fit the character just like it did for The Rock in ‘Faster’ (Billy Bob notwithstanding) and Kurt Russel in ‘Soldiers’. Both guys can act their butts off but that was the character. I don’t think that top free agent in the spy-for-hire game Mallory Kane is gonna be a chatterbox. You said yourself you went in with “wants”(for her to speak) going into it. It wasn’t met so there has to a lack of character development beyond Gina’s newb acting limitations?! She didn’t want to be Fassbender’s wife/armcandy. There’s your character. Just what do you suggest for more, when? She was attracted to Tatum as one would be on a high octane excursion like a mission – all looks and hormones. Were they to share words and find a deep connection in the prep hours before their secret spy job? Later, she either observed that he turned back to her side before dying. The only one amongst that crew. It aint complex, but it works as a reason. The only big continuity error in the whole movie is that she doesn’t kill in the chase scene. I agree with the critics – only Soderbergh could masterfully craft a project around a non-actor lead with a rare skill amongst leading actors, and he delivered on his eccentricities (that lose mass audiences) and Carano gave more than anyone could’ve expected.