Overview:
Why do espionage movies appeal to us? Is it because of the cool gadgets, the beautiful women, or the twisting storylines? I suppose it’s all of those rolled into one. Some audiences like the campiness of spy movies like James Bond, while others like the covert underhanded world of secret agents. Nevertheless, The Recruit is another one of those films. Although I enjoyed Colin Farrell’s acting along side the famed acting skills of Al Pacino the movie lacked a certain something to make it a masterpiece.

Review:
Set in the Washington and Virginia area, The Recruit focuses on CIA hopeful James Clayton (Colin Farrell), a computer genius on the verge of making a huge salary with his new broadcasting software. James has become obsessed with the loss of his father in South America while working for a major oil company. As Clayton is working at a local bar, a haggard looking Al Pacino claims that he is CIA material. Walter Burke (Al Pacino) wants Clayton to try the CIA entry exam to see if he is any good. Unsurprisingly, Clayton blows everyone else out of the water. He is resourceful, creative, and very intelligent. What do you expect, he’s the main character!

As the CIA agents are evaluated at a remote location called The Farm, they are constantly tested and retested to resist their weaknesses. The tests continue while the recruits are pushed to their limits. Colin meets the archetypal ‘hot spy female’ in Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan). Yes there is a bad joke alluding to Eric Clapton’s song (Why Roger Donaldson, why?). As Clayton’s and Moore’s stifled love becomes more and more evident Walter uses it to teach James the same vital lesson: “Do not get caught,” plain and simple right? At the end of their training Clayton is chosen to be the Black Ops specialist. He is the one who works behind enemy lines and if caught, will be denied any affiliation with the US and CIA. As his first test, Clayton must determine weather or not there is a mole in the CIA. Tensions mount as a game of cat and mouse is played out with the characters. Unfortunately, the character interaction is about the best thing in this movie. The stress between Colin Farrell, Bridget Moynahan, and Al Pacino provides well fleshed out characters that the audience can understand.

I enjoyed how the film carries the “trust no one” adage throughout. The Recruit kept dancing around with the aspect of who was working for whom, and what side they are all on. I feel that although, a shifty plot is interesting, The Recruit relies on it too heavily. As far as the rest of the script, it lacked something special. Perhaps it could be the worn style and configuration of the film or the lackluster ending. The Recruit is a film that requires a low level of thought process; just enough to follow what is going on. Movies like this aren’t a bad thing but in a society where there are lots of movies that are just fluff, they drag others down.

Acting:
Colin Farrell continues to work on his acting skills, but regrettably he takes a step back with The Recruit. He first grabbed my attention in Minority Report with his excellent rendering of a futuristic Washington D.C detective. However, with the release of The Recruit and Daredevil, I fear he may be travelling away from the path of reputable movies. Al Pacino looks as horrible as ever. Even though his role is a bit tame he looks incredibly tired. Bridget Moynahan has been in a few other movies including Sum of All Fears and Coyote Ugly, but nothing with this much acting. It’s too bad, because she is a decent actress and good looking to boot. The interaction between these three makes the movie more enjoyable. Colin Farrell is an emerging actor but needs to watch what movies he is in.

Directing:
Roger Donaldson did a respectable job at filming The Recruit but forgot something to designate the movie as popular. What is it about certain movies that lack that extra push to make it good? Is it plot, acting, marketing, or how the director portrays the story onto film? Whatever it is, The Recruit doesn’t have it. The cinematography was admirable; using uncommon camera angles and good editing techniques. Roger made a middle of the road movie, for a lull in movie release dates.

Final Thoughts:
Although I enjoyed watching The Recruit, I see it as a fluff movie. You don’t have to analyze underlying themes or tones to understand it. It is a film that celebrates the sheer fact that movies exist. The Recruit does not need to be examined like other films, it just needs to be watched and enjoyed on a Saturday night. I give The Recruit three planets. It had good character interaction, editing, and an average storyline. I suggest waiting for the matinee or the DVD.
 
Jameson Rating: 3 out of 5 Planets


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