Well, I doubt that this is the movie that Ridley Scott will be most remembered for. For someone like him, who has made numerous critically acclaimed and award winning films, it becomes more and more difficult to produce a movie that leaves a considerable impression with the audience. "Body of Lies" is a very enjoyable and thrilling movie, that kept me on the edge of my seat for almost the entire running time, but the material just isn't spectacular enough to be remembered indefinitely. A spy, who has to work against a net of terrorists in a war zone, is probably not the most original idea ever, but, it still manages to be entertaining, especially if there are enough twists, and things turn out the way you don't expect them to. If there is a surprise, even the oldest concept can fulfill the purpose of attracting an audience.
The war on Terrorism in the Middle East is just as bad as ever, with numerous Americans acting as spies working to infiltrate extremist cells. After the most recent bombing in Sheffield, England, the CIA officer Roger Ferris uses his connections in Iraq, to hunt down the terrorist leader Al-Saleem. Even though, he and his partner manage to track down some valuable information, Ferris' asset dies in the explosion of their car. Ferris has an extremely strained relationship with his boss Ed Hoffman, who trusts in permanent observation, and refuses to make the operations any easier for Ferris. He sends him to Jordan, where the Intel Ferris acquired in Iraq leads them, and is supposed to make contact with the head of the Intelligence Department. His name is Hani Salaam, and while he is more than ready to help Ferris with his investigation, he requires one things from him, which is never to lie to him. Ferris, who realizes that Salaam puts loyalty and honesty above everything else, tries to form a complex bond with him, that is purely based on trust. But, while Ferris is successful and stands quite high in Salaam's eyes, his boss Hoffman, refuses to tell Ferris about other missions he's authorized, and eventually he screws up one of Ferris' operations. Eventually that ends with a chase through the city, where Ferris is attacked by dogs, and has to go to the hospital, where he meets the Iranian nurse Aisha. Trying to hide his true purpose of being in Jordan, he becomes closer to her, but since Hoffman proved that he can't be trusted, he is quite worried that he will loose his target.
Ridley Scott, like very few others, knows exactly how to generate suspense and keep the viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire movie. That is what he does in "Body of Lies" and doesn't even need that much action (chases and fights to be more precise) to achieve his goal. While we know the main villain from an early point on, the movie folds out as less than a hunt for him, but for those who turn out not be worth the trust put in them. A large web of lies is weaved around the characters and it is for the audience and Roger Ferris to find out, who his allies are. After a large number of twists and turns though, they become a little bit to twisted and turned, and some of the events seem rather implausible, or at least play out a little bit to conveniently. But, well, otherwise the movie probably wouldn't be as entertaining and gripping as it turned out to be.
A lot of the movie's continued suspense throughout the entire running time is due to the interesting relationship between the characters of Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. DiCaprio stars as the rough CIA-operative Roger Ferris, who sees himself confronted with violence and hardship every day. He proves once again that he is no longer an adorable boyish actor with a baby face but a great character performer with a rough-edge attitude. His face,surrounded by a horrible, but effective beard, now has a powerful edge, it didn't have 10 years ago, which allows him to show some emotions like anger much better. The only other big name in "Body of Lies" is Russell Crowe, who plays Roger Ferris's supervisor in Langley. Ed Hoffman is overweight (Crowe gained 63 pounds for the film), and pretty much doesn't give a crap about the people he commands, as long as they deliver. He and Ferris are strongly contrasting characters and Crowe, who is actually pretty hard to recognize here, plays his role a lot calmer than usual. That is an interesting change for a man, who is used to play no-nonsense characters.
All in all, the movie has a very rough element to it. Since most of the action takes place in the Middle East, the locations are not exactly the most pleasant ones. A certain kind of sadness and depression can be found throughout the entire movie, which illustrates the senseless war fought in Iraq and against terrorism. This is an enemy that can't be fought, unless the right people are targeted, and those that deserve our trust, can be trusted. But considering that even those that are on the same side, lie to each other without any regrets, it seems impossible. The thrill and constant suspicion of never knowing who the good guys are, keep "Body of Lies" alive for the entire running time, as well as DiCaprio and Crowe in two great performances. It won't become a classic, but shows a piece of the contemporary time period that won't be forgotten. (3.5/5)
Even though the pace is not the fastest one and certain plot elements are not exactly realistic, the constant atmosphere of suspicion, as well as the shaky relationship between DiCaprio's and Crowe's characters, will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The war on Terrorism in the Middle East is just as bad as ever, with numerous Americans acting as spies working to infiltrate extremist cells. After the most recent bombing in Sheffield, England, the CIA officer Roger Ferris uses his connections in Iraq, to hunt down the terrorist leader Al-Saleem. Even though, he and his partner manage to track down some valuable information, Ferris' asset dies in the explosion of their car. Ferris has an extremely strained relationship with his boss Ed Hoffman, who trusts in permanent observation, and refuses to make the operations any easier for Ferris. He sends him to Jordan, where the Intel Ferris acquired in Iraq leads them, and is supposed to make contact with the head of the Intelligence Department. His name is Hani Salaam, and while he is more than ready to help Ferris with his investigation, he requires one things from him, which is never to lie to him. Ferris, who realizes that Salaam puts loyalty and honesty above everything else, tries to form a complex bond with him, that is purely based on trust. But, while Ferris is successful and stands quite high in Salaam's eyes, his boss Hoffman, refuses to tell Ferris about other missions he's authorized, and eventually he screws up one of Ferris' operations. Eventually that ends with a chase through the city, where Ferris is attacked by dogs, and has to go to the hospital, where he meets the Iranian nurse Aisha. Trying to hide his true purpose of being in Jordan, he becomes closer to her, but since Hoffman proved that he can't be trusted, he is quite worried that he will loose his target.
Ridley Scott, like very few others, knows exactly how to generate suspense and keep the viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire movie. That is what he does in "Body of Lies" and doesn't even need that much action (chases and fights to be more precise) to achieve his goal. While we know the main villain from an early point on, the movie folds out as less than a hunt for him, but for those who turn out not be worth the trust put in them. A large web of lies is weaved around the characters and it is for the audience and Roger Ferris to find out, who his allies are. After a large number of twists and turns though, they become a little bit to twisted and turned, and some of the events seem rather implausible, or at least play out a little bit to conveniently. But, well, otherwise the movie probably wouldn't be as entertaining and gripping as it turned out to be.
A lot of the movie's continued suspense throughout the entire running time is due to the interesting relationship between the characters of Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. DiCaprio stars as the rough CIA-operative Roger Ferris, who sees himself confronted with violence and hardship every day. He proves once again that he is no longer an adorable boyish actor with a baby face but a great character performer with a rough-edge attitude. His face,surrounded by a horrible, but effective beard, now has a powerful edge, it didn't have 10 years ago, which allows him to show some emotions like anger much better. The only other big name in "Body of Lies" is Russell Crowe, who plays Roger Ferris's supervisor in Langley. Ed Hoffman is overweight (Crowe gained 63 pounds for the film), and pretty much doesn't give a crap about the people he commands, as long as they deliver. He and Ferris are strongly contrasting characters and Crowe, who is actually pretty hard to recognize here, plays his role a lot calmer than usual. That is an interesting change for a man, who is used to play no-nonsense characters.
All in all, the movie has a very rough element to it. Since most of the action takes place in the Middle East, the locations are not exactly the most pleasant ones. A certain kind of sadness and depression can be found throughout the entire movie, which illustrates the senseless war fought in Iraq and against terrorism. This is an enemy that can't be fought, unless the right people are targeted, and those that deserve our trust, can be trusted. But considering that even those that are on the same side, lie to each other without any regrets, it seems impossible. The thrill and constant suspicion of never knowing who the good guys are, keep "Body of Lies" alive for the entire running time, as well as DiCaprio and Crowe in two great performances. It won't become a classic, but shows a piece of the contemporary time period that won't be forgotten. (3.5/5)
Even though the pace is not the fastest one and certain plot elements are not exactly realistic, the constant atmosphere of suspicion, as well as the shaky relationship between DiCaprio's and Crowe's characters, will keep you on the edge of your seat.