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Maybe it's because I just returned from a part of the world that had the feeling that nobody could be trusted; or maybe it was just a nagging sense of paranoia, but after being in a war zone and then seeing Holly wood using that as a backdrop ... well, I tend to view some recent war movies a little differently.
I give high marks, though, to actor Leonardo DiCaprio for taking on a role that probably expended more physical energy than he was accustomed to. Movies about our current situation (a nice way of phrasing it) can be a tricky proposition, because past movies on the subject that get preachy turn off people from seeing them, let alone a depressing story that is already depicted daily in our living rooms.
What I liked best about "Body of Lies" was the fact that it showed more of an internal chain of command that could be just as treacherous as actually being out in the field. It didn't hurt, either, that ace filmmaker Ridley Scott ("Black Hawk Down") directed the movie (adapted from the David Ignatius novel).
DiCaprio plays CIA field operative Roger Ferris, who not only has to grow eyes in the back of his head, but must rely on his instincts rather than the orders from his superior, Ed Hoffman, (an incredibly convincing Oscar-winner, Russell Crowe). He's a CIA officer who is pretty much removed from the day-to-day operations in a war zone and has become pretty much fat and content, barking out orders from the safety not just of the United States but also from his own home. He has a staff of agents where he is the ultimate multitasker. His current project to flush out terrorist leader Al Saleem (Alon Aboutboul). He is great even if he sometimes gets typecast in these kinds of roles (as he was in 2001's "The Order").
The "feel" throughout the movie is nerve-wracking, to say the least. From Hoffman's vantage point, it is like a game of chess, as he calls the shots, and agents like Ferris make their move. But while most plans may look good on paper (or in one's head), the pawn is a real human, who makes those assigned moves but always under the distrustful eyes of whatever country he is in.
Scott and Crowe have worked together successfully on movies before, so it's no coincidence that they click here again. The cast is superb, particularly Mark Strong, playing the head of Jordanian intelligence, which makes you wonder where their loyalties lie when Americans are on their land. Is he going to expose Ferris or cooperate with him? The thriller boasts cool performances by Oscar Isaac (as the contact and local tour guide, Bassam) and Simon McBurney as the Ving Rhames-like character from the "Mission: Impossible" movies who is a computer whiz.
Having Crowe and DiCaprio together already makes for a strong reason to see this, but the story by Ignatius makes this one of the first movies with the war as a character in itself worth checking out. It should be noted, too, that Ignatius is a veteran journalist who covered the CIA and Middle East affairs for 10 years for both the Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post: probably why the movie works so well. The only questionable storyline was giving Ferris a love interest, an Iranian-born local nurse (Golshifteh Farahani). I mean, I know these things happen, but in his position as an American, it seemed a bit risky, even though he had to try out his communication skills. A Muslim and an American, though, only draws attention if you're trying not to blow your cover.
The transformation of Crowe was remarkable. For the role he did a Robert De Niro diet, gaining 50 pounds to get into character. He is the complete opposite of DiCaprio's character, who is leaner and meaner. Ferris is trying to stay one step ahead of being tortured or killed, while Hoffman is driving his kid to school or doing household chores, as if he were playing a game of paintball instead of war.
It's surreal enough what is happening in one part of the world, but to have them in completely different circumstances just makes you soak in the weirdness of war and the characters who are part of it.
-- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio and you can see his film reviews on "Howie's Late Night Rush" Monday through Friday at midnight on RSN. For past reviews, blogs, and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
I give high marks, though, to actor Leonardo DiCaprio for taking on a role that probably expended more physical energy than he was accustomed to. Movies about our current situation (a nice way of phrasing it) can be a tricky proposition, because past movies on the subject that get preachy turn off people from seeing them, let alone a depressing story that is already depicted daily in our living rooms.
What I liked best about "Body of Lies" was the fact that it showed more of an internal chain of command that could be just as treacherous as actually being out in the field. It didn't hurt, either, that ace filmmaker Ridley Scott ("Black Hawk Down") directed the movie (adapted from the David Ignatius novel).
DiCaprio plays CIA field operative Roger Ferris, who not only has to grow eyes in the back of his head, but must rely on his instincts rather than the orders from his superior, Ed Hoffman, (an incredibly convincing Oscar-winner, Russell Crowe). He's a CIA officer who is pretty much removed from the day-to-day operations in a war zone and has become pretty much fat and content, barking out orders from the safety not just of the United States but also from his own home. He has a staff of agents where he is the ultimate multitasker. His current project to flush out terrorist leader Al Saleem (Alon Aboutboul). He is great even if he sometimes gets typecast in these kinds of roles (as he was in 2001's "The Order").
The "feel" throughout the movie is nerve-wracking, to say the least. From Hoffman's vantage point, it is like a game of chess, as he calls the shots, and agents like Ferris make their move. But while most plans may look good on paper (or in one's head), the pawn is a real human, who makes those assigned moves but always under the distrustful eyes of whatever country he is in.
Scott and Crowe have worked together successfully on movies before, so it's no coincidence that they click here again. The cast is superb, particularly Mark Strong, playing the head of Jordanian intelligence, which makes you wonder where their loyalties lie when Americans are on their land. Is he going to expose Ferris or cooperate with him? The thriller boasts cool performances by Oscar Isaac (as the contact and local tour guide, Bassam) and Simon McBurney as the Ving Rhames-like character from the "Mission: Impossible" movies who is a computer whiz.
Having Crowe and DiCaprio together already makes for a strong reason to see this, but the story by Ignatius makes this one of the first movies with the war as a character in itself worth checking out. It should be noted, too, that Ignatius is a veteran journalist who covered the CIA and Middle East affairs for 10 years for both the Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post: probably why the movie works so well. The only questionable storyline was giving Ferris a love interest, an Iranian-born local nurse (Golshifteh Farahani). I mean, I know these things happen, but in his position as an American, it seemed a bit risky, even though he had to try out his communication skills. A Muslim and an American, though, only draws attention if you're trying not to blow your cover.
The transformation of Crowe was remarkable. For the role he did a Robert De Niro diet, gaining 50 pounds to get into character. He is the complete opposite of DiCaprio's character, who is leaner and meaner. Ferris is trying to stay one step ahead of being tortured or killed, while Hoffman is driving his kid to school or doing household chores, as if he were playing a game of paintball instead of war.
It's surreal enough what is happening in one part of the world, but to have them in completely different circumstances just makes you soak in the weirdness of war and the characters who are part of it.
-- Howie Nave is host/manager of The Improv comedy club inside Harveys and reviews films for seven radio stations throughout northern California and Nevada, including Sirius Radio. He hosts "Howie's Morning Rush" on Tahoe's KRLT radio and you can see his film reviews on "Howie's Late Night Rush" Monday through Friday at midnight on RSN. For past reviews, blogs, and audio clips, visit www.HowieNave.com.
Keepin' it reel:
Now Playing: "Body of Lies"Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani, Oscar Isaac, Ali Suliman, Alon Aboutboul, Vince Colosimo, Simon McBurney, Mehdi Nebbou, Michael Gaston, Kais Nashif and Jameel Khoury
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Rated: R for strong violence including some torture, and for language throughout
Running Time: 130 minutes
Howie gives it: 4 out of 5 bagels
