Rent Body of Lies (2008)

Average Ridley - Body of Lies review by CP Customer

Body of Lies tries and ultimately fails to gel high-level political manoeuvrings with on the ground events in the volatile Middle East. Crowe plays Hoffman who is the handler for DiCaprio’s CIA operative. Both are trying to locate the leader of a terrorist group currently in the midst of a European bombing campaign. So they are both very much under pressure to identify and remove the threat as quickly as possible. While Hoffman operates in relative safety from home, the car or the office, DiCaprio has more tangible dangers to overcome. The interplay between the two main leads is good, although they share very little time onscreen together. Body Of Lies is a demonstration of technology but even more so that the old methods are still effective. For Ridley Scott this is merely just treading water, while I accept that politics and the Middle East are intertwined, a little more focus would have resulted in a better thriller.

A fast-paced and interesting spy action thriller set in the Middle East - Body of Lies review by Philip in Paradiso

The film is about Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio), who is a CIA case officer working in the Middle East. Ferris is trying to find and neutralize a reclusive and secretive terrorist leader called Al-Saleem, in Iraq. The movie is focused on Ferris's mission and what happens to him, in various countries across the region (Ferris ends up in Amman, in Jordan, for much of the film).

This is a fast-paced action movie, full of suspense, which I found very well made and captivating. I am a bit surprised the film has not won more plaudits from reviewers. It may not be Ridley Scott's best or most original work, but it is still a very good and very effective spy thriller, which is plausible most of the time. It reminded me of 'Syriana', among other films of this kind.

One thing that is interesting and seems perceptively shown is the complex relationship between various intelligence services - mostly, the Jordanian counter-terrorism service and the CIA - and also within the CIA itself. Ferris is in constant contact with Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe), who is the head of the CIA's Near East Division and his boss. Hoffman is a cynical, ruthless old hand, and the interplay between Ferris and Hoffman is an interesting aspect of the movie.

Overall, a very good film within the parameters of the genre, which I would recommend.

An excellent & riveting thriller with great performances from Crowe & DiCaprio - Body of Lies review by TB

Based on the novel by David Ignatius, this film follows DiCaprio’s Roger Ferris, a burnt-out but still highly motivated CIA officer who is based on the ground in various parts of the Middle East, trying to keep the situation on the ground from boiling over. Ferris is a deeply moral man, but also knows that he has become someone who has to sometimes do highly questionable things in order to achieve his goals. But he is also highly ambitious, which has served his career well. However, the biggest thorn in his side is his boss Ed Hoffman, played by Crowe. 

Crowe seems to have gone back to the mould of his previous highly successful performance as Jeffrey Wingard in The Insider, in that he has piled on the pounds in order to pull off the look of the office-bound spy who spends his days either at his desk or eating massive meals in restaurants whilst controlling the various schemes he is in charge of. Hoffman is someone who appreciates the talent and ability of Ferris, but also is perfectly happy to completely undermine his agent & do what he wants to do, at the expense of everyone around him. Part of Crowe’s skill in this role is that as much as Hoffman is an absolute detestable character, Crowe does imbue a certain sense of inevitability within him: when you get into the world of espionage, there are no good guys and anyone who tries to make you believe that there are is lying to you. Both Ferris & Hoffman know that things could turn against them on a dime, the only difference being that for Ferris, it could quite easily result in him being killed/sacrificed. 

But it is not only the 2 headliners who are great. Mark Strong is also excellent and in many ways steals the film as Hani, the director of Jordanian intelligence. From their opening scenes together, he and Ferris see a kindred spirit within each other and form an at first unease partnership. This then becomes a really gripping part of the story, especially as events around them seek to undermine them. Golshifteh Farahani is also great and does wonders with the role of Aisha, the nurse who looks after Ferris and then starts to become closer to him. Finally, even though at that time he was not well-known, Oscar Issac has a memorable if short role as Bassam, Ferris’s right hand man. 

Ridley Scott brilliantly directs this film and especially the chase sequences with the helicopters are spectacular. The look of the film, as well as the sound and script, are also perfect. The only thing that stops this getting 5 stars is that it does go on a bit too long, plus the ending leaves something to be desired as well. But still an amazing and worthwhile watch, with some good humour as well.