The Recruit

Look past the fact that Colin Farrel doesn't look like a nerd who graduated top of his MIT class, is fitness-model ripped, AND apparently boxes in his free time. It's Hollywood. It doesn't make sense, I know, but you need to get over it. Why? This is a great spy movie. Really, it is.

It's ironic that the reason it's so great is also the reason it was so poorly received by critics. This movie does all of the conventional spy movie things. It has the technology, the drama, the intensity and the action that a spy movie should, yet it's criticized for not doing anything special or innovative. That's like saying "You know I really like Rage Against the Machine's song 'Wake Up', but everything on the album sounds just like it... it's kinda boring." I say yes, 'Wake Up' is an awesome song, and if all the songs sound like this awesome song, then ergo, visa vie, concordantly, therefore, and no shit, all the songs are awesome. If you like a good mystery, with some plot twists and some good action sequences, then this is a good movie for you. In fact, the action isn't even that over the top. A few chase sequences (on foot), but the drama and mystery make up for the lack of action; what's there feels appropriate for the movie. I felt like I couldn't trust anyone, just like the main character. I was totally engrossed while watching the movie, waiting to see what would happen next.

The reason spy movies are so great is that they deal with the idea of trust. The foundation of this country is born from the idea that too much power in one entity or tyrant can corrupt and hurt the people. So we spread the power throughout a system of checks and balances and a large bureaucracy, and even then we keep an eye on the people who are supposed to protect us. The fact that spy movies deal with multiple government on government actions usually means we're in a no holds barred battle where nobody can be trusted. The possibilities of backstabbing, double crossing, and the plot twists are endless. Who's telling the truth? Is the government really out here to protect me? And what's even MORE important, should my government lie and exploit other people for the good of our country? All very compelling, but I'm not opening that can of worms...

Chase Brandon is the adviser for this movie, making every attempt for accuracy on the technical aspects of the CIA. Apparently this guy is to the Hollywood CIA as Capt. Dale Dye is to the Hollywood Army/Marines. When he's involved you know you are getting a good movie. Brandon also consulted on the Bourne trilogy. On the behind the scenes segment, he talks about how tough the job is and stresses all the cons of being a CIA operative: The moving around, the being in harms way, the long hours, the low pay, the lack of recognition. Yet, the one glaring pro that outweighs all of it is something that he has trouble putting into words, basically Honor and Duty. My favorite scene in this movie comes early on, when Al Pacino is conveying this message through a brilliantly delivered speech to his young recruits. It is excerpted below.

So, why are you here?
Why are you here?
It ain't the money.
A GS- pay grade officer, yours truly --
I rake in about, what, grand a year?
You can't buy a decent sports car for that.
It ain't sex.
Hey, being here won't get you laid.
Oh, you're a dental hygienist?
I'm a member of the ClA, Moscow Station chief.
-Hello?!
What about fame?
Our failures are known.
Our successes...are not.
That's the company motto.
You save the world,
they send you to some dusty basement at Langley,
give you a little lemonade and cookies,
and show you your medal.
You don't even get to take it home.
So it ain't money, it ain't sex, it ain't fame.
What is it?
I say we are all here in this room
because we believe.
We believe in good and evil,
and we choose good.
We believe in right and wrong,
and we choose right.
Our cause is just.
Our enemies...everywhere.
They're all around us.
Some scary stuff out there.
Which brings us here... to the farm.
You have all just stepped through the looking glass.
What you see, what you hear --
nothing is what it seems.

-Chris