Watch Body of Lies
- R
- 2008
- 2 hr 8 min
-
7.0 (241,910)
In the 2008 film "Body of Lies," directed by Ridley Scott, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Roger Ferris, a CIA operative stationed in the Middle East. His mission is to hunt down a terrorist leader named Al-Saleem, responsible for planning numerous attacks on Western targets. However, Ferris' work becomes complicated when he comes into conflict with his superior back in Washington, Ed Hoffman (played by Russell Crowe). Hoffman is more concerned with furthering his own career and pleasing his superiors than with capturing Al-Saleem. Their differing approaches to the mission lead to tension and mistrust between the two.
Ferris begins his mission by working alongside the friendly and charismatic head of Jordanian intelligence, Hani Salaam (played by Mark Strong). Ferris poses as a wealthy businessman in order to infiltrate terrorist networks and gather intelligence. He attempts to win the trust of a local architect named Aisha, who he believes could have connections to Al-Saleem. However, as he becomes more involved in the dangerous world of espionage, Ferris struggles to maintain his sense of right and wrong. He becomes increasingly disillusioned with the scope of the CIA's operations and the effects it has on innocent civilians.
Meanwhile, Hoffman works from his comfortable office in Washington, using advanced surveillance technology and informants to control Ferris' movements. The two men butt heads constantly, as Hoffman's relentless demands for results put Ferris in increasingly dangerous situations. The tension between the two builds to a breaking point as they become embroiled in a high-stakes operation to capture Al-Saleem.
The film is a tense and thought-provoking thriller that examines the complexities of the modern intelligence community, the effect of US intervention in the Middle East, and the moral toll of counterterrorism operations. DiCaprio and Crowe give career-best performances as the two men at opposite ends of the intelligence hierarchy, each with their own motives and methods. Strong is also excellent as Salaam, a man who straddles the line between ally and adversary. Director Ridley Scott delivers a stylish and atmospheric film, filled with stunning visuals and exciting action sequences.
"Body of Lies" is not simply an action movie or a spy thriller. It is a nuanced examination of the war on terror and the toll it takes on those who fight it. Ferris' struggles with his conscience and his sense of duty are at the heart of the film, making it a deeply human story as well as a gripping one. The film raises important questions about the efficacy of counterterrorism strategies, and the inevitable innocent casualties that result from these operations.
Overall, "Body of Lies" is a compelling and intelligent thriller, featuring standout performances from its lead actors and sharp direction from Ridley Scott. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the often-murky world of intelligence and the moral issues that arise from it.
Body of Lies is a 2008 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 57.