This one has potential, but if it's just another by-the-numbers thriller posing as a meaningful statement it will fall flat. It's not as if there aren't plenty of real bad guys out there to make a movie about. As Russell Crowe's character (CIA honcho Ed Hoffman) says, "It's a dangerous dangerous world..."
The trailer isn't getting much traction, though. People are skeptical. Story will have to deliver the goods on the very real and very dirty work the CIA engages in if 'Body of Lies' is to succeed. Ridley Scott certainly has what it takes. His 'American Gangster' had the ring of truth and subtle performances by Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe made it work.
The last thing people want to see is a fakey look at terrorism (see last year's 'The Kingdom' which was Hollywood schlock and a slap in the face, and lost money). If 'Body of Lies' doesn't deliver audiences will shoot it down.
Here's an interview with David Ignatius, the author of the novel (of the same name) on which the movie is based. Ignatius is a journalist with The Washington Post and has the connections one would need to create a credible story about CIA operations.
I hope they did this story justice. If not, I just don't need that crap in my life. If so, I'm looking forward to it.
I just finished watching 'American Gangster' on DVD. Movie is nicely directed by Ridley Scott with 'invisible' camera technique that not only doesn't bring attention to itself, it makes you forget you're watching a movie. Also to credit for this movie's easy flow is screenwriter Steven Zaillian whose script brings this true story to life in a direct and accessible way, without over-stylizing it for the big screen. Drug lord Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and the detective that chased him, Ritchie Roberts (Russell Crowe), are brought to life by Zaillian's script, and backstory is handled so effectively and naturally you feel like you know them by the end of the movie -- in fact you feel like you've known them for years.
