Rated R for strong violence including some torture, and for language throughout.
Directed by Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Black Hawk Down)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe
A thrilling spy movie.
Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a covert CIA operative working in Jordan searching for terrorists who have been bombing civilian targets. Ferris uncovers information on the Islamist mastermind Al-Saleem (Alon Aboutboul). He devises a plan to infiltrate Al-Saleem's terrorist network with the help of his boss back in Langley, Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe). Ferris enlists the help of the Chief of Jordanian Intelligence, Hani Salaam (Mark Strong) on this operation, but he doesn't know how far he can trust him without putting his life in danger. The uneasy alliance leads to a cultural and moral clash between the men.
TODD’S WORD:
I’m not going to apologize for enjoying this movie. Body of Lies is a Ridley Scott action-packed thrill ride…which is good if you love those kinds of movies and by the way, I do. Sure it lacks depth and creativity, but when you are chest deep in action sequences, who cares?!?
JONATHAN’S WORD:
Ppppppptblah! Sorry. I just spit out my popcorn. You’re kidding, right? I mean… about that whole “who cares about depth and creativity?” Because otherwise I’m going to have to start liking Steven Seagal films!
TODD’S WORD:
I wouldn’t go THAT far! We’re talking Ridley Scott here. This isn’t just mindless action. No doubt Ridley Scott is in his element and gives us more of his solid action-movie direction while the cast shines bright. DiCaprio is superb and Crowe, who put on 50 pounds, is almost unrecognizable.
JONATHAN’S WORD:
Well I enjoyed the film too. The performances were excellent. But I think the film had a lot more to offer than just action. I thought the script was engaging. Much like Enemy of the State and Black Hawk Down… we gain scary insight to how powerful “big brother” America is with their surveillance. And we also see how overconfidence in this power can be a huge mistake.
TODD’S WORD:
The story itself, while fictional, is intriguing and fairly believable, as well as easy to follow. But it’s the special effects that left me with the biggest impression. The satellite views, explosions and the doctors removing someone else’s bone fragments from Ferris’ arm are fascinating.
JONATHAN’S WORD:
I didn’t care about bone fragments. I enjoyed the relationship between American and Jordon intelligence agents, an element we don’t see onscreen very often. Much like Peter Berg’s The Kingdom (which I liked a little better than this).
TODD’S WORD:
When it’s all said and done, Body of Lies, is not the smartest spy movie, but that’s O.K., I’m not the smartest guy.
JONATHAN’S WORD:
I can vouch for that!
TODD’S WORD:
I know it has flaws but it really was an entertaining Theater Worthy movie.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Jonathan recently wrote an entire article on this subject (CLICK HERE for that article) and I agree with him. Although there are some pretty rough scenes of violence and torture, there are no sex or nudity scenes so this should be O.K. for some older teens. I also think in light of current events, this and films like The Kingdom are great discussion starters.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
