Review of Body of Lies (2008) by Pete S — 08 May 2012

Sir Ridley Scott takes on a film about international espionage and the fight on the war on terror. It's a film with good intentions but it does feel a bit half-hearted, as if it was toned down by force to avoid offence from religious sects and all that.

But, Scott's visually eye is flawless as always. It has CIA operative Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio, with a comedy beard), who is based in Iraq, looking for a terrorist mastermind called Al Salim, who is behind terrorist attacks in Manchester and Amsterdam.

Ferris is working for Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe, with a fat belly), who seems to have an agenda or two of is own planned. Meanwhile, Ferris is posted to Jordan and finds himself in league with Jordanian Intelligence official Hani Salaam (Mark Strong), who wants Ferris to never lie to him.

But, with so much wheeling-dealing doing on, what's true and what isn't?? Ferris finds himself in an awkward position. It's well made, and the lead performances are good, but this would have been more suited to Ridley's brother Tony Scott, (it's crossed between Enemy of the State (1998) and Spy Game (2001)).

It could have been better, (Baltimore doubles Manchester well at first, but certain bits give the game away), and you do get the impression alot was cut out of the film, maybe Scott has a director's cut planned.

(or does he??), but it's average for now, but when it's good, it is good...