Body of Lies (2008)
Genre: Action / Thriller
Duration: 128 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe and Mark Strong
IMDb score:
7,0 (244.809)
Releasedate: 9 October 2008
Body of Lies plot
"Trust no one. Deceive everyone."
Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a CIA agent in the Middle East. He is ordered to dismantle a successful terror cell from Jordan by arresting its leader. Help comes from his boss, Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe), and the head of Jordanian intelligence (Mark Strong). But which of these men is the most to be trusted when it comes to his own safety?
Actors and actresses
Roger Ferris
Ed Hoffman
Hani
Omar Sadiki
Garland
Holiday
Nizar
Aisha
Bassam
Al-Saleem
Reviews & comments
Fisico (moderator films)
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- 10009 messages
- 5398 votes
Decent film, but not on the same level as DiCaprio's other films over a 5-year perimeter. DiCaprio obviously does an excellent job. There was nothing wrong with the acting as a whole. Mark Strong also did an excellent job as Jordan's top civil servant, which dripped with charisma, flair and a bit of arrogance.
Unfortunately, better, or at least better elaborated films have been made on the theme. Lone Survivor for example. Now, it's the actors who keep the movie going, DiCaprio, strong, but also Crowe who, while "babysitting" is trying to expose terrorism networks coolly over the phone. The story itself didn't really grab my attention.
The romantic subplot made me shudder and is totally irrelevant and brings the movie down. What did bring the film (besides the cast) to a higher level was the difference in the world between those who make the decisions from a distance and those who have to make the decisions on the field. This was typical when Ferris was taken out of the burning car and his friend/partner wasn't. Ed Hoffman didn't even know him. "Expendable assets" Dutch (Schwarzenegger in Predator) would call it. The contradiction between the two could not be greater.
But the film remains for me too bland, too superficial, too mediocre, one that will soon be forgotten despite some very nice dialogue (Ed Hoffman's opening quotes at the beginning of the film to name just one).
Translated from Dutch · View original
Filmkriebel
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- 9549 messages
- 4430 votes
The CIA's dirty games in the Middle East, based on a journalist's investigative work. It never ceases to amaze me how much the CIA can afford in other countries to curtail jihadist terror, such as using an innocent person (the architect). This is really not acceptable.
The film is about a CIA operative on the ground (DiCaprio) and his boss in Langley (Crowe) who must lure the perpetrator of terrorist attacks in the west from his lair. For this he works together with the chief of the Jordanian security service (Mark Strong), but the three do not play open cards with each other...
As would be expected from Scott, this is a bright and polished film that doesn't feel too "American" except for Strong's role as a fake Arab, a total miscast. But the oppressive atmosphere of the Middle East is there and that means a lot for this spy thriller. I found the romance with the nurse disgusting; such a mandatory number to show how open-minded the CIA is towards other cultures. Who believes that?
Translated from Dutch · View original
filmfan0511
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- 1044 messages
- 1072 votes
Body of Lies is good, without ever becoming very interesting or captivating. There are a lot of characters, locations, organizations, etc. introduced in a fairly short time frame, which makes the film feel exhausting at times, and sometimes even like homework. Especially because it's all very plot-oriented, and Scott doesn't seem to want to take time for a quieter atmosphere. Apart from that hectic pace, the story nevertheless manages to hold its own, and certainly in the second hour it all gets a bit better and more steadfast. The very complex issues of the Middle East are conveyed well in itself, and the use of the Arabic languages (instead of everyone speaking forced English) is refreshing. Ridley Scott also knows how to do some nice tricks with the camera (those overhead shots really do create that whole surveillance feeling that hangs throughout the film), and as always delivers a technically beautiful film. The cast does a good job with the exception of Russel Crowe, who comes across as disinterested and lethargic. I don't know if that's the character or the performance itself, but it stood out and it's one of his worst roles. DiCaprio is very good, and knows how to put down a good character with not very interesting material. However, Mark Strong outclasses everyone in his scenes as the calculated Hani. The film's best character who, unlike the more standard protagonists, brings much-needed nuance.
3.5*.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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