Body of Lies Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

Perfection

Non-stop drama as events unfold. Say what you want, but please don't label this as more US propaganda material. It is unbiased and open in its approach, and is quite revealing in portraying both sides of the story in telling what resources (and deceipt) go into tracking terrorist cells and what very likely happens politically behind closed doors. Leonardo DiCaprio finally came of age in Blood Diamond, and here he just gets better, and more convincing. Job well done!

Badass pettish pointy little eyebrows

Doesn't Leonardo diCaprio always have badass pettish pointy little eyebrows? Hollywood so wants to manufacture for us a mean Italianamerican method actor, but Leo just ain't a Brando. Not even Ridley Scott and Crowe can save this one. DiCaprio just can't hold the film's strands together. The guy has no charisma. His early performances in This Boy's Life and Gilbert Grape must have been flukes, or perhaps he suited those adolescent roles. These days he still looks like a pettish adolescent with pointy little eyebrows and a sulky frown and it just doesn't work. Where are the iconic actors of yesteryear?

A plot that leaves you thinking 'what?'

Not a bad little effort this one, although the trailers lead you to believe this is something it is not. From the previews I thought this would be a revenge/redemption type plot but instead it seems drawn out (at over 2 hours it is slightly butt-numbing after 30mins of ads at the start). It is interesting though, DiCaprio resumes his bad ass type role we saw in Blood Diamond. Something he's nailed down to an art. There are some unflattering shots of Russel Crowe who is looking his age a bit. The two of them string the piece together quite well. The only thing that would stop me renting this or watching it again is how epic and harrowing it is. A couple of scenes definitely not for the squeamish.

All in all: ok

BODY OF LIES

Yes, a very professional film that ticked all the boxes. Very controlled and well edited ,well everything really but unfortunately very lack luster. Liked Brit actor Mark Strong as Hani as well as his great clothes.Great showcase for Russell Crowes laid back acting skills but Leo was very like his Blood Diamond character with a bit more feeling,I much prefer his Catch Me If You Can character than his action hero one.Maybe that was why I was the only woman in the audience.If you're in London check out The Apollo cinema in Piccadilly.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Body of Lies

I can see it now. 2010 and in DVD stores everywhere the latest boxsets hit the shelves in time for Christmas. One of them is a 6 disc set entitled Crowe/Scott: A Decade of Collaboration. Ok so far they have only done 4, but with Nottingham in production theres always chance that they can sneak in another before the back end of ’10. Obviously the high point would be Gladiator, the one that launched Crowe in to the world of the A-List and endless parody.

The low point is a hard one to gauge as I haven’t seen A Good Year but of the ones I have seen this might be it. Not to say that it is bad, as it isn’t by a long shot, but Body of Lies is ineffectual stuff in comparison to their other works. It may also be representative of a bit of a trait that has been occurring in movies for a while, namely a directors long affiliation with one actor. The gold gets struck, and then they continue onwards as surely lightning can strike twice. However rather like Clooney and Soderburgh it works for a couple of movies and then steadily begins to drop off to the point that no ones bothered.

Its called ‘feet under the table’ syndrome. Its not necessarily a bad thing but you get so caught up in your safety blanket you fail to realise that your no longer pushing boundaries or trying out anything that’s new. It just becomes standard, predictable and ultimately unadventurous. Body of Lies could have been a standard bearer, exciting and full of insight in to the current conflict in the Middle East but ends up just plodding.

In effect, Body of Lies is almost a copy of Tony Scott’s Spy Game but in that film Redford and Pitt are given some semblance of a back history. In this all we know is that Crowe’s character is a CIA boss who has to make some tough calls from the safety of his Washington office while the ambitious Leo Di Cap does all the donkey work on the ground. And here in lies its difficulty in that by not really setting up the characters you are given no real incentive to become emotionally connected to them. This was something Spy Game did brilliantly well and made that the better of the 2 films.

Body of Lies can be frustrating at times. You can follow whats happening, understand the reasons for it, but because there is no semblance of connection or indeed presence (most orders come over the mobile) you struggle to care. Even when they do meet face to face and have a difference of opinion there seems to be really no spark unlike in American Gangster where Crowe and Washington had plenty.

So in all the movie washes over you rather then challenges you and becomes just another forgettable thriller. A shame considering the big names involved and the topic. If Scott and Crow continue to make movies in the same safe, unimaginative manner as this one then I can imagine that that DVD boxset will actually be on sale for the pricely sum of £4.99…..

[Highly rated reviewer]

body of lies

this film was ok but I thought it was a bit long

winded I LIKE LEO he is a great actor

but it was not that good.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Very good.

Very good film to watch, gives you an insight as to what really goes on in the world, much like the film 'The Kingdom'. Leonardo DeCaprio never lets me down and always does a good movie.

Bit of a gory scene towards the end, had to hide behind the cushion! But would highly recommend this film :oD

Hmm....

I was soooo looking forward to this movie. Ridley Scott, say no more. However, for all it's hi tech polish, together with it's energy and pace... you're ultimately left with the feeling of 'what's the point of the film?'. I wish I could say that it's probably so deep and complex that maybe I just didn't get it... sadly, that just ain't the case. The strongest performance and the one true beacon of talent in the whole movie, belongs to Mark Strong. Effortless quality. And you know he means it when he says... 'whatever you do in my country, don't ever lie to me'.

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Great actors and director, shame about the script

This film could be great. It has all the right elements: a fantastic director, two talented leads, a current issue etc but it is let down badly by a poor script. You want to become involved with the characters but they never develop and the whole 'love interest' device is so cliched that you find yourself scratching your head waiting for things to happen and then they don't. While I love Crowe and Dicaprio you've got to wonder why they signed on for this film. Mark Strong is the best thing about this film but I wouldn't say have this on your priority list.

[Highly rated reviewer]

What was the Fuss About?

This movie is well shot there is plenty of action, but unfortunately the plot is very weak and what there is does not link together in a plausible way. Also there was really nothing new. The supposed love story is a nothing and for the central character to risk life and limb for someone that he does not know at all, is fanciful. Regrettably by the end the audience will not know why, and mostly probably will not care.

This film does not even approach the talent of Titanic, a great shame.