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"Body of Lies:" I don't like being lectured to at the films,

71.34.242.123

particularly, but this message is delivered more with a feather than a hammer.
This film is in the "Syriana," "Constant Gardener," "Babel," tradition of action/thriller with a political thrust. This one is by Ridley Scott and it moves along well, is fairly believable, but has such a frenetic pace---- as do too many films, these days--- that it numbs one. When the dramatic pauses occur, they are as exciting as a time out during a heated sports match.
Leonardo diCap continues to mature as an actor, meaning he grins less and grimaces far more. I don't particularly find him believable as a master spy/operative but I am open to the criticism I am being too personal. He may now be ready to play just about anything else but a heroic figure....
Russell Crowe continues his character role playing, this time as Leo's cynical CIA puppet-master. We've seen this character before and he brings nothing new.
The fault, actually, lies most with Ridley Scott or rather with whoever is responsible for the screenplay: not a memorable line, exchange, or scene--- certainly not one novel idea is put forth or exhibited in the entire two hours.
It is entertaining, though, so as a popcorn afternoon (I'd certainly never pay full price for it) escape, I'd recommend it.

Follow Ups:

Good review, Tin! I liked it...7/10. - Enophile 21:55:54 10/17/08 (5)
"7" is a movie I would see on purpose.

I agree about the pacing, in that events evolved too quickly, but I enjoyed the 'mood' Scott, et al created to keep me uneasy.

I thought Leonardo did a fine job, and Crowe was okay, I guess.

I really enjoyed Andy Garcia as the Jordanian intelligence chief.

;)

I haven't seen Syriana, Constant Gardner, or Babel. Good, or don't bother?
- Well here's my take on those... - mkuller 12:14:56 10/18/08 (0)
  > I haven't seen Syriana, Constant Gardner, or Babel. Good, or don't bother?>
  
  All are worth seeing A or B+ level films, IMO.
  
  Syriana may be the most interesting and challenging of the three.
  
  Constant Gardner is very well done, thought provoking and I particularly like Rache Weiscz.
  
  Babel is a little more of a mixed bag, I think, and some people love it and others were put off by it.
- Not Andy Garcia..... - afilado 10:29:48 10/18/08 (3)
  ... Mark Strong, I believe.
  I haven't seen it yet but I've read/heard that he "steals" the movie based on strength of performance.
  Leonardo's brow is still getting a workout? I swear that's all I can see in his "manly" roles. It's apparently the sole vehicle he's using to impress us with his transition from youthful heartthrob to capable leading man. I'm still unconvinced.
  Listening to some aural snippets of his performance makes me think he's still no more than a two-trick pony. Good looks being one of those. I put him in the same box with Keanu Reeves. Calling them inscrutable is being kind.
  
  Edits: 10/18/08
  - Strong's character, and his key line, borrow a lot from the Colombian - tinear 11:07:43 10/18/08 (2)
    drug lord in, "Scarface." ('83 Scorcese version)
    - So much about that is ...... - afilado 12:34:28 10/18/08 (1)
      ..excessive but I love it.
      Paul Shenar is the name. His was the coolest portrayal in the film, amongst all the heat elsewhere. I remember the relative admiration one could have - I had - for his "noble" badman character.
      Given your thoughts about The Godfather, for example, I wonder how you feel about this film, which really contributed to an understanding of the drug culture/problem for the American popular perspective, in spite of its polished ugliness. And it did show the comeuppence crooks should rightfully receive.
      What are the "proper" elements for a worthy crime/war/sex film? Aside from qualitative technical and artistic considerations what makes one acceptable, so to speak, and another not? How can a glamorous film be made about violent ugliness?
      
      Edits: 10/18/08
      - "Scarface" is a very strange film. It is waaay over the top, yes, but - tinear 15:15:41 10/18/08 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: So much about that is ...... posted by afilado on October 18, 2008 at 12:34:28
        
        it rings true, perhaps because the lives of men such as Tony Montana are strange!
        I think the depiction of the kind of monster a man such as he must become was far more accurate: as I've mentioned before, having Al portray Michael as some sort of regular business-Joe that just HAD to take over Dad's murderous business isn't realistic and IS amoral.
        Don't get me wrong, I find the Godfather films (the first two only, of course) immensely entertaining. But the nihilism is ugly, very ugly.
Ridley goes too far over the edge portraying American's . . . - mr grits 16:58:52 10/17/08 (0)
as uncouth louts and hammerheads, to wit: Crowe's half-baked Southern accent and boorish maneuvering. I don't necessarily hold this against Scott but it is tacky.

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