SINCE September 11 and the subsequent war on terror, a new breed of war movie has emerged. Recent films like Rendition, Lions for Lambs and The Kingdom have all explored themes of terrorism, ultimately linking its origins back to
However, despite their resonance, they have all failed to connect with an audience.
Perhaps cinemagoers don’t want to watch the news – or a cinematic version of it – as part of their popcorn escapism.
Why the adaptation of Washington Post columnist David Ignatius’ Body of Lies succeeds is because director Ridley Scott has created an audience-friendly, high-tech spy thriller, which fits into the current political climate.
CIA field agent Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) is based in the Middle East where he is trying to expose Syrian-born, American-educated Al-Saleem, who has just taken credit for suicide bombers in England and promises further attacks to “avenge the American wars”.
Controlling Ferris’ every move like a video game is Washington-based Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe, who gained 23kg for the role), who monitors the side of the other world through high-tech equipment.
Hoffman obnoxiously disregards the dangerous situations Ferris is constantly placed in, and has no sympathy for anyone else trapped in this war, guilty or otherwise.
Ferris gets a tip that Al-Saleem is operating out of Amman in Jordan and heads there to investigate.
To be able to make any progress, Ferris must trust the head of Jordanian General Intelligence, Hani Salaam (Mark Strong), but can Ferris keep to Salaam’s one rule – not to lie to him?
Body of Lies is a visceral rollercoaster that swiftly moves from one exotic locale to another.
In Western media, the Middle East is predominantly linked to war, so more often than not, its humanity and beauty is forgotten.
The film’s exquisite photography captures the splendour of the region, beyond the fighting, giving an understanding of why Ferris is torn between his role as an American employee and a man who has found his home away from home.
Ferris, like much of the world, is confused as to why he should assume that innocent lives in the Middle East could be bartered for the bigger picture.
While the plot is complicated and at times verges on convoluted, strong performances from Crowe, DiCaprio and a scene-stealing Strong elevate it to the realm of intelligent blockbuster.