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Yes, you've seen it before.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that Eagle Eye, the Shia LaBeouf flop, used the same device to drive its plot to hell, but unfortunately not back again. That movie’s characters had insight on how to defeat the odds of their fate thanks to people who could see them but they couldn’t see where their help was coming from. Body of Lies is a more complex, grown-up version of that movie - and that isn’t a good thing. Their only differences are found in the actors and directors, which Body of Lies holds a superior command over any movie this year for that matter. Using this device in an intelligent film, director Ridley Scott doesn’t make any drastic leap forward but instead creates a questionable motive that drives his movie farther and farther away from having any relevance of plausibility. The ability to view specific targets, be it cars or people, from a ridiculous distance and view point, is not an idea to construct a movie around (this idea would benefit better if it had its own segment on "60 Minutes"), especially a movie that is laced with talent from head to toe. Let’s thank The Departed script writer William Monahan who adapted David Ignatius’ spy novel and made it into a convoluted mess that Scott had the pleasure to work with. The man who brought us greats like Blade Runner and Alien deserves better. The result is a movie that’s explosion-happy and fascinated with the savvy technology that is out there, resulting in a story that lacks personal feeling.

On top of that there is a multifaceted plot that has been demonstrated much better by The Kingdom, the Bourne trilogy and Syriana, only to name a few of the past recent years. Again, a bin-Laden like terrorist who wants powerful countries to bleed like his groups did is being hunted by a CIA operative advisor Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio). Ferris constantly finds himself, no matter the country (most ly Middle East territory), in the worst predicaments. He survives suicide bombings, gun fights, a ritual killing ceremony and even savage canines. He even has time to find a lover who has cliché written all over her and a Jordanian intelligence chief (Mark Strong) who offers more than a helping hand. Strong is turning in great work as of late. Just recently he finished RocknRolla, in which he had the best performance in.

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All the while the person Ferris advises information to is sitting comfortably in his Virginia home eating cereal and telling Ferris what to do and expect next. Ed Hoffman, played by Russell Crowe who put 50 pounds on for the role, has a birds-eye view and is able to watch Ferris, via satellite camera, get kidnapped, make love and engage in battle. Hoffman, the anti-Uncle Sam, is rarely seen without his technical gear, including his blue-tooth head set that allows him to stay in contact with Ferris without any complications. If you think this man is only worried about Ferris’ operation to rid the world of terrorism shame on you. Crowe’s character, a high point in the film, is the embodiment of the American government. He’s cocky en ough to multi-task between a bunch of highly-confidential government jobs and attending his child’s soccer game. It is America’s quintessential trait; we can get important issues cleared up all the while we sit back and relax.

All of this is a maze, even hodgepodge. Scott, the great director that he is, should be able to formulate something worth watching but fails miserably. Crowe, DiCaprio and Strong are the only reasons to see this film. The landscape in Body of Lies thwarts any form of good intentions. Because of the globetrotting between Qatar, Baghdad, Amman, Syria, England and Virginia, our two main characters Crowe and DiCaprio, only share a few scenes together. Those are particularly good and those are what the audience is going to want to see.

Scott still doesn’t allow his film to lose authenticity. His patented “in your face” camera style, which made Blackhawk Down succeed, isn't absent in Body of Lies, the movie actually thrives for extravagant camera work. The heart of the movie is what matters most. The same formula is still used from all previous post 9/11 terrorist films, only Body of Lies has such a forced conclusion to make a so-called patriotic point.

Film Rating: ** out of ****

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Comments (6)

Great review!

Thanks for the review, that's why I'm not wondering little, "cute" dogs own this movie.

I don't think we are prepare to embrace a terrorist-themed movie as of yet, too much serious, plus the politics would even make it more complicated.

jed , October 14, 2008

Aww, damn!

I think my choice in films-to-see is getting rather sad. Besides Eagle Eye (and well Burn After Reading), I've been waiting for this film. I mean, with Ridley Scott, Leo DiCaprio, and Russell Crowe involved, what are people supposed to think besides 'must see'?

I am completely bummed now...lol. Doesn't mean I'm not going see it, but still...grrr!

Thanks for preparing me, now I can lower my expectations accordingly.

myheartsnsocal , October 14, 2008

Missed the point as you are too interested in listening to yourself....

I think you missed the point completely. for example, it isn't a movie lacking in personal feelings, it's about the contrast between the two main characters, one with no personal feelings or feelings limited to his own small world of children and family, and the other with a whole range of emotions and involvement with another culture. Great Movie, Ridley Scott never disappoints, ignore this review and go and see for yourself. And yes, I think it's time you went to see something about terrorism that isn't filled with cliches and convenient them/us judgements.

Storm Griffin , October 14, 2008

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For as much potential as this movie had going into in, it is interesting how boring it ended up being. The action scenes and performances were good but the story tried to get cute.

The terrorism plot is not the problem at all, it is the script added to the films construction that keeps this from being great.

Jeremy , October 14, 2008 | url

...

If the script contributes to the lack of interest, I'm a bit surprised. Leo and Russell usually are pretty smart when it comes to choosing scripts...oh, well, you can't win them all.

myheartsnsocal , October 14, 2008

Body of Lies

Apparently Ridley Scott enjoys working with Russell Crowe; and he likes to make movies that raise international awareness (i'm thinking Blackhawk Down and Kingdom of Heaven)... that's a good thing i'd say

patrick , October 18, 2008 | url

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