Viva!: DVD of the Week: "Body of Lies"
DiCaprio and Crowe star in a smart CIA flick without a genre
Jon Simpkins
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Trinity Life
It's like a smart action flick, but without much action. It's like a political thriller, but it doesn't have a political bias. It's like a drama, but its drama is understated. Essentially, "Body of Lies" is a movie about CIA operatives that stays true to reality … regardless of if reality has a story to tell.
Look, it's not like the movie is boring. It was written by the guy who wrote "The Departed" and directed by the guy that did "Blackhawk Down" and "Man on Fire." DiCaprio and Crowe are both incredible as, respectively, a vulnerable, badass spy and his arrogant, jackass CIA boss. Every moment of this movie is brilliantly done; I just wish there were more moments in it.
And that's why you should pass on this DVD. Because this isn't the full movie. At 2 hours flat, this is the theatrical version, which is clearly missing material (not to mention DVD features, for the four of you who actually watch those). Lots of loose ends are left hanging, and too many brilliant people collaborated on this movie to think that that was the plan.
Wait six months, and watch the longer director's cut of the movie when it comes out. Because this isn't the movie the way it was intended to be seen. No, this is just… [insert your own "Body of Lies" pun here.]
ALSO NEW ON DVD:
• "Quarantine"
• "High School Musical 3: Senior Year"
• "Changelling"
• "Religulous"
• "Flash of Genius"
• "The Midnight Meat Train"
Look, it's not like the movie is boring. It was written by the guy who wrote "The Departed" and directed by the guy that did "Blackhawk Down" and "Man on Fire." DiCaprio and Crowe are both incredible as, respectively, a vulnerable, badass spy and his arrogant, jackass CIA boss. Every moment of this movie is brilliantly done; I just wish there were more moments in it.
And that's why you should pass on this DVD. Because this isn't the full movie. At 2 hours flat, this is the theatrical version, which is clearly missing material (not to mention DVD features, for the four of you who actually watch those). Lots of loose ends are left hanging, and too many brilliant people collaborated on this movie to think that that was the plan.
Wait six months, and watch the longer director's cut of the movie when it comes out. Because this isn't the movie the way it was intended to be seen. No, this is just… [insert your own "Body of Lies" pun here.]
ALSO NEW ON DVD:
• "Quarantine"
• "High School Musical 3: Senior Year"
• "Changelling"
• "Religulous"
• "Flash of Genius"
• "The Midnight Meat Train"
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