Body Of Lies

Review by Sean Lynch
More Body Of Lies: Video Interview - Russell Crowe & Leonardo Dicaprio

If there is one thing the world doesn't need - its yet another handy cam filmed, grey looking, controversy creating, political piece whose only aim is to remind the free world just how terrible the Americans are - and just how crumby a world we really live in.

No wonder U.S. citizens forked out $29 Million to see a movie called Beverly Hills Chihuahua the very same week that their economy went into disarray forcing good ol' W Bush to fork out $700 Billion (that wasn't his to spend) to clean up the mess.

Why a talking dog? Because! If we want to wanted to be hit in the face with things we already know then we can just tune into the news or read the paper.

So, yeah, to say that Body Of Lies was on top of my "Can't Wait To Be Entertained By" list... well, it would be about as truthful a statement as saying "Sarah Palin should be in charge of the free world".

But back to the flick itself...

Body of Lies follows CIA operative, Roger Ferris (a bearded Leo DiCaprio... seriously... the guy still looks like he's 12), 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 (the head honcho who sits 10,000 miles away watching via satellites and high tech gadgets) and the collegian head of Jordanian intelligence (who looks almost identical to Pacino in Scarface).

Now Ferris has to put his life in the hands of these "trust worthy" men in an effort to win a war that seemingly doesn't want to be won.

It's The Kingdom meets Rendition meets Eagle Eye, which could either be an excellent thing - or a terrible thing - depending on what your taste in films are.

The thing is, Body of Lies never quites keeps you totally entertained. I'm assuming most will go in expecting to leave being blown away by what you see. And while you won't leave wanting your cash back, there is something that's just a little forgettable about it at the same time.

What does make this a worthwhile piece of cinema, however, is Russell Crowe.

The guy has had a fairly rotten run over the last few years, with some pretty lame flicks. However, this - admittedly, quite minimal - role as the arrogant Hoffman makes you realise just how good he is.

Crowe is funny, threatening, and at the same time completely harmless - and he does it all with such ease. It's the first time in the history of film that you can actually excuse an actor for, literally, phoning in a performance.

Extra point must also go to the appearance of Aussie, Vince Colosimo (if only to have the image of "The Black Prince of Lygon Street" being thrown from a car window stuck in your mind for days after leaving the cinema).

It's good, solid film making - but perhaps lacks the punch we were all hoping for.

3 out of 5

Body of Lies
Australian release: 9th October, 2008
Official Site: Body of Lies
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Vince Colosimo
Director: Ridley Scott