Body of Lies
Action thriller that takes the conflict in the Middle East as its starting point, based on the novel by Washington Post column David Ignatius and adapted for the screen by The Departed's William Monahan. Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) is a CIA operative tasked to track down an Al Qaeda leader in Jordan. To see his plan through he must earn the backing of the reluctant, Jordan based CIA vet Ed Hoffman (Crowe) as well as members of the Jordanian government. The only way to complete the mission is too entrust his life to these people, thought it becomes apparent he cannot fully trust them.
- Director:
- Ridley Scott ('Gladiator', 'Alien', 'Bladerunner', American Gangster')
- Writer:
- William Monahan
- Cast:
- Leonardo DiCaprioRussell CroweMark StrongCarice van HoutenOscar IsaacVince ColosimoMichael Gaston
Reviews & comments
Village Voice
pressIts generic attributes (and title) notwithstanding, Scott's film may be the sharpest of all the post-9/11 thrillers--and also the most purely entertaining--in the way it maps the vectors and currents of the modern intelligence-gathering game without losing us in its dense narrative thicket.
Variety
pressA mostly formulaic approach that becomes more disappointing as the yarn unwinds.
Hollywood Reporter
pressIt may not be as much fun as old spy movies starring Cary Grant or more recent entertainments such as "Spy Game," directed by Ridley's brother Tony, but it feels all too accurate.
Dominion Post
pressIt's not a great film. The final act is too unlikely, a romance too convenient and DiCaprio's great plan is something that not just al Qaeda, but my mum's bridge club would have seen through in about five minutes.
Indeed this film dragged. And seemed overly, (for lack of a better word), American. Haven't we had enough of this target the enemy kind of plot line. The film lacked cleverness. It wasn't tricky or surprising. In fact i failed to identify with any of the leads. Better luck next time.
This didn't wash for me, I was bored in parts. Started to get into gear towards the end, making it just worth the watch. But not overly interesting...
Was bored for the first third, but gradually found myself drawn into this story. Ludicrous ending, but found this to be a good political thriller for the most part. Always impressed at Ridley Scott's productions. Didn't linger much in the mind afterwards, though. Russell Crowe not in the movie as much as you'd expect. Mark Strong was great.
Village Voice
pressIts generic attributes (and title) notwithstanding, Scott's film may be the sharpest of all the post-9/11 thrillers--and also the most purely entertaining--in the way it maps the vectors and currents of the modern intelligence-gathering game without losing us in its dense narrative thicket.
Variety
pressA mostly formulaic approach that becomes more disappointing as the yarn unwinds.
Hollywood Reporter
pressIt may not be as much fun as old spy movies starring Cary Grant or more recent entertainments such as "Spy Game," directed by Ridley's brother Tony, but it feels all too accurate.
Dominion Post
pressIt's not a great film. The final act is too unlikely, a romance too convenient and DiCaprio's great plan is something that not just al Qaeda, but my mum's bridge club would have seen through in about five minutes.
Indeed this film dragged. And seemed overly, (for lack of a better word), American. Haven't we had enough of this target the enemy kind of plot line. The film lacked cleverness. It wasn't tricky or surprising. In fact i failed to identify with any of the leads. Better luck next time.
This didn't wash for me, I was bored in parts. Started to get into gear towards the end, making it just worth the watch. But not overly interesting...
Was bored for the first third, but gradually found myself drawn into this story. Ludicrous ending, but found this to be a good political thriller for the most part. Always impressed at Ridley Scott's productions. Didn't linger much in the mind afterwards, though. Russell Crowe not in the movie as much as you'd expect. Mark Strong was great.
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