Body of Lies (2008)

Since 9/11, movies set in the Middle East have become increasing popular with filmmakers. Not only does it allow them to explore global issues and their impact on both the state and the individual, but directors and screenwriters can usually wring a satisfactory number of explosions and shootouts from the proceedings. Body of Lies is one of the more recent entries in this category.

Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a CIA operative on the trail of a terrorist leader known as Al-Saleem. After starting out in Iraq–with bloody consequences–Ferris is eventually relocated to Jordan to continue his investigation. There, he meets Hani Salaam (Mark Strong), the head of Jordanian Intelligence. The menacing Salaam only has one rule: never lie to him. Ferris is happy to comply, but his task is made more difficult by the constant machinations of his boss back in the U.S., Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe).

There’s also a subplot involving a nurse named Aisha (Golshifteh Farahani). Ferris sets out to win her affections, but he’s met with resistance from her sister and Arab society in general. With Ferris’s every move being watched by multiple intelligence agencies, it’s only a matter of time before Aisha gets caught in the crossfire.

Like any spy movie, Body of Lies is filled with twists and turns. Unlike most films of the genre, however, it seems to be able to navigate the waters of global political intrigue without completely losing the audience in the process. It’s refreshing to see a spy movie that doesn’t leave you feeling like a moron.

While some attention is paid to the “issues” of the Middle East, the film wisely avoids the pretentious path of Syriana and focuses more on action and intrigue. There’s plenty of both, and it should come as no surprise that director Ridley Scott knows his way around a gunfight.

The romantic angle in the film could have been dropped, as it was nothing more than a sham relationship used to demonstrate cultural differences and set up events for the final act. Still, it was tolerable, and DiCaprio and Farahani demonstrated some nice on-screen chemistry.

Speaking of chemistry, I found the on-screen relationship between DiCaprio and Crowe to be more than a little uninspiring. They speak their lines, but the words coming out of their mouths fail to invoke any real emotional reaction. Given their performances in past films, I suspect the script may be more to blame than the actors.

Crowe in particular doesn’t have much to work with. He’s mainly asked to look pudgy and behave like a power hungry smartass. He does as requested, but the performance seems hollow. DiCaprio, on the other hand, once again shows his talent for both action and drama. Ferris is really put through the ringer during the course of the film, suffering through dog attacks (with subsequent rabies injections), near-lethal explosions and torture.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the scene-stealing performance by Mark Strong. As the well-dressed head of Jordanian intelligence, he exudes menace without even saying a word. When he does talk, it’s just as delightful. Strong is hardly a newcomer to the movie business, but I’m suddenly excited about his future roles in such films as Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood.

Despite its action sequences, Body of Lies isn’t a popcorn movie. There’s a lot going on, and some manner of side operation always seems to be in effect. This requires a certain level of commitment from the audience in order to keep up, and anyone who would rather chat or make snide comments will find themselves as lost as being in the middle of the Arabian Desert. It is, however, worth the effort.