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The Recruit | Year: 2003 Classification: Drama Directed: - Roger Donaldson Actors/Actresses: - Al Pacino - Colin Farrell - Bridget Moynahan No "Bourne Identity" I guess in this post-Sept. 11th era, we're going to see a spate of films with young CIA recruits as action-hero hunks. Ummm...why do the real guys always seem to look more like Aldrich Ames than Brad Pitt? Anyway, this film will probably get compared to the most recent movies of the same ilk, "The Bourne Identity" and (albeit pre-Sept. 11th) "Spy Games." Frankly, by those measuring sticks, "The Recruit" falls well short. There was next-to-zero development of the relationship between Colin Farrell and Bridget Moynahan. They get paired. They're a couple (in a way). 0-to-60 in nothing flat. Also, regarding the major twist at the end...you can see it coming from a mile away, but still: you get zero background for understanding that character's motivation for his/her deceit until it is packaged into a soliloquy right at the moment of revelation. It's an eye-rolling moment for the audience. Still though, Colin Farrell reveals himself as quite a capable leading man. It's the script that has the shortcomings, not Farrell...and not Al Pacino. He's just fine here in his role playing Al Pacino. Pacino does a great Pacino in his latest movies, and here, he shows that he really has Pacino down cold. Also, I was quite taken by Bridget Moynahan's performance. But I sat in the theater wondering: where have I seen her before? The answer: a) She's the "idiot stick figure with no soul" who married Mr. Big on "Sex in the City." b) She played the bride-to-be in "Serendipity" (left at the altar by John Cusack). Enjoyable "Who's playing Who" thriller I have to say I really enjoyed this movie and actually endorse the "Edge of the Seat" message on the rear of the box.<BR>Al Pacino is well cast as the craggy featured senior recruitment officer for the CIA, who woos a young Computer genius (played by Farrell) into the world of espionage, and governmental agency training. The young Farell rapidly becomes embroiled in a "mole" hunt and is constantly questioning whether he is still "in training", or really in danger. What develops is a series of "who's watching who" encounters as he, and his trainee counterpart take part in a cat and mouse scenario, that leaves the viewing audience also playing along. Puritans will probably complain that there is a lack of accuracy in the movie, and that the final revelations seem predictable, but most people will just sit and enjoy the ride. Solid acting performances and a believable script bolster the storyline, and Farrell is excellent as the naive, almost paranoid young agent. Great suspense, and very well made. Very good movie This action-thriller is a great movie, in which "nothing is what is seems"; for the characters, as well as for the viewer. Al Pacino and Collin Farrell show us great acting, together with a great story it makes this to one of the best action-thrillers I've ever seen! Special note for the outcome of the movie, the outcome is something I find very important. Most of the time good movies get wasted by a horrible end. Not this movie, no patriotic, moralistic, "help I'm gonna throw up" end. It's something you won't see coming.... Buy The Recruit at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Recruit Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Recruit This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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