"Body of Lies"

Ridley Scott's fast moving geopolitical thriller, "Body of Lies," is based on the novel of the same name by David Ignatius and offers an incisive up-to-the-moment view of the war on terrorism. We thought it was more complex and multi-layered, if not also a little confusing, spy thriller than normal. It analyzes the various levels of trust and deception that come into play in invading, let alone trying to understand a foreign country with an unfamiliar culture and politics that's perceived as "the enemy." With his authentically scraggly black beard, DiCaprio does a good job portraying the CIA point man (Roger Ferris) in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Dubai and other spots in the Levant. In contrast Russel Crowe is relaxed and kicking up his heels as Ed Hoffman, Roger's Langley supervisor and often enough "the eye in the sky," keeping his thumb on Ferris through more of those scarily efficient satellite tracking systems we keep seeing in movies this year.We thoroughly enjoyed it and give it [4-Stars].


SYNOPSIS: Based on Washington Post columnist David Ignatius’ 2007 novel about a CIA operative, Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio), who uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan. When Ferris devises a plan to infiltrate his network, he must first win the backing of cunning CIA veteran Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe) and the collegial, but perhaps suspect, head of Jordanian intelligence. Although ostensibly his allies, Ferris questions how far he can really trust these men without putting his entire operation - and his life - on the line.