Review of Body of Lies (2008) by Carter Y — 12 Jun 2010

A complex and timely espionage action-thriller about the war on terror told from the point of view of CIA operative Roger Ferris, well played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who is out to take down a terrorist leader suspected of directing a bombing campaign in Europe from Jordan.

Directed by the incomparable Ridley Scott and based on the bestselling novel by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, 'Body of Lies' focuses as much on the international politics of the war on terror and the internal politics that Ferris faces as he deals with his CIA masters and the chief of Jordanian intelligence as it does their collective efforts to find and kill the bad guys.

Russell Crowe, who plumped up for the role, plays Ed Hoffman, the pudgy, arrogant, and in many ways ignorant CIA official who directs Ferris's operation from back in Washington. Where Crowe's character represents an arrogant America that approaches the war on terror in a self-centered way, in search of short-term victories, DiCaprio's symbolizes a smarter way forward for America, where the CIA shares information with allies when appropriate and wisely looks to the big picture and the long-term.

The action sequences in 'Body of Lies' are exciting and intense, but the film's real appeal is the convincing, seemingly inside view of modern spycraft that it offers.