Body of Lies

Synopsis

Body of Lies is an action thriller film adaptation of the novel of the same name by David Ignatius about a CIA operative (Leonardo DiCaprio) that is sent by his scheming boss (Russell Crowe) to Jordan to track a high-ranking terrorist. While in Jordan, the operative forms a suspicious alliance with the head of the Jordan’s Intelligence department. Ridley Scott directs this powerful and gritty film.

Review

Terrorists, the Middle East, the CIA and deceit bring another typical espionage film with Jihadists against the United States. I’m glad that Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood Diamond) is in this film. I’ve always been impressed with his work since the days of The Basketball Diaries and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Mmm hmmm I know, you forgot all about those old school picks. Leo gives everyTHANG he has and then some into his characters.

DiCaprio plays Roger Ferris, a CIA operative that travels from the Middle East countries on various operations to stop global war. He is sent a couple of times to Jordan by his superior Edwin Hoffman (Russell Crowe, American Gangster) to track down a notorious terrorist leader who is waging war with bombings while evading the best intelligence agencies in he world. Roger is a top bag man in the CIA and is deep in the thick of things. Roger reminds me of Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland). Bauer is the main character in Fox’s TV series 24 always giving up everything for his country tracking terrorists.

Now Hoffman on the other hand looks a chubby wubby mess. Crowe did gain 63 pounds for this role. Heck, that can’t possibly be healthy. Maximus the Gladiator he is not. Hoffman does his best work on a phone earpiece breaking mess down of how he wants it while tending to his family. Shoot, if you ask me, Roger is handling all the business. If it weren't for him, Hoffman wouldn't know (**(^%.

This film is based on David Ignatius’ novel by the same name. Even though this is a real decent movie that kept my attention, I can’t see it making a lot of loot at the box office. Intelligence thrillers are usually similar in nature and a bit too long. I can see a lot of people waiting a couple of months until it comes out on DVD. This would definitely be a good pick at that time.

I really liked the tag line for this flick. “Trust no one. Deceive everyone.” It’s a perfect tag line that is very true of the story. Roger's slick boss Hoffman is forever having his own secret side operations. How does he expect Roger or anyone to do their job properly if he isn’t forthcoming? I wanted to slap his chunky butt for having my boy Leo out there in the trenches of the wicked.

Look, Body has chase scenes, shooting, bombings, terrorists, a little undiscovered love with an Iranian woman named Aisha (Golshifteh Farahani, Divar) and straight up traitors. All of these elements make for an alright flick. I found Body of Lies to be a tad bit predictable at times, especially with Roger’s love interest. Oh, and they sure did seem comfortable chilling in public giving each other googley eyes as a Westerner and Muslim. Come on now. They received a stare down from EVERYONE!

Body is also a bit outlandish. Now you want to tell me that one man is practically working these efforts all alone while his overweight boss barks all the calls as he is chilling back in the states being the doting father? He rolled up only one time in Jordan looking like no kind of leader with his wrinkled up linen suit. Meanwhile, the head of the General Intelligence Department of Jordan, Hani Salaam (Mark Strong, Syriana) was dressed SHARP in every scene he was in. That man commanded attention and proved to be a great leader. I don’t know why every time I saw him he looked as if he smelled like Dolce & Gabanna cologne or something. Yummylicious.

Body is a great matinee type of film where you’re just spending a minimum amount of money. You will also be just fine waiting a short while to rent it too. Either way it's worth watching.

My Rating ~ 3 Reels

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