Body of Propaganda. Review on Body of Lies Movie

Been waiting for this one for a long time and on the day of its release, along with two office colleagues I went to see this movie at PVR Cinema (oberoi mall)

Body of Lies is another American movie trying to justify American action in Iraq. An American propaganda movie that usually does not do good at the box office. In India this movie is not relevant and most entertainment seeking movie goers will not understand it. Yet lets review the movie on its merits. Body of Lies is, spy -thriller top-lined by two major stars (Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe), and directed by Ridley Scott. Based on Washington Post columnist David Ignatius’ 2007 novel, Body of Lies is about about a CIA operative(Leonardo DiCaprio), who investigates a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan. He devices a plan to infiltrate his network, working with the backing of cunning CIA veteran (Russell Crowe) and the head of Jordanian intelligence (Mark Strong). This movie is a fairly good one it arrives with a heavy burden of propaganda on its shoulders.

Scenes are set in exotic locales. But the movie fails to create any suspense, emotional attachment to the characters, or any characteristics that make an audience connect with what is up on the screen. DiCaprio plays Roger Ferris a government operative in the Middle East. He is managed from Washington by Ed Hoffman (Crowe). They stay in touch mostly by cell phone (and their service connection is always good). Hoffman can also keep up with Ferris by spy satellite. This movie tries to impress upon you how hi-tech CIA espionage is. The movie is a little difficult to follow at times. There are a lot of plots and subplots that don’t come together till the end of the movie. Acting however is top drawer. DiCaprio was maturing in blood diamond, Here he has truly matured and pulls off the role of a macho spy hero. Crowe, as the cunning unsympathetic operator with lack of sympathy or empathy for the people involved on the ground pulls off the role beautifully . He looks overweight and laconic as is required. The movie is fast paced, has a dash of romance squeezed in and ends abruptly.

There is also an intense torture sequence that the weak will not be able to stomach. Also this movie talks about human values like respect to elders, Friendship , trust and the importance of truth. The movie shows many enemies but no villans. The best part is the beginning. The movie begins with famous lines from W. H. Auden's poem, September 1, 1939: "I and the public know What all schoolchildren learn, Those to whom evil is done Do evil in return."

Pratyush