"Body Of Lies," a movie about foreign policy and espionage, takes viewers to a post 9/11 world full of technological warfare, power hungry operatives and, as the title implies, lies. Director Ridley Scott ("American Gangster") combines talents with Oscar winning screenwriter William Monahan ("The Departed") to bring movie-goers a new kind of war epic. The story takes place in various Middle East locations but centralizes in Amman, Jordan. The movie is based on Washington Post columnist David Ignatius's novel of the same name, and includes a powerhouse cast. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Roger Ferris, a young CIA field agent trying to capture a notorious terrorist in the Middle East while trying not to damage his relations with the Jordanian government. Russell Crowe co-stars as Ferris' veteran CIA bureaucrat, Ed Hoffman, a stateside agent who has his own mission and thirst for power. What sets "Body of Lies" apart from the traditional war movie is that the war on terrorism is dealt more with words and sudden movements than actual warfare. The use of technology and words are a far greater asset to the CIA in the film than actual weaponry. The movie is not for the weak of stomach. There are several scenes throughout the movie depicting torture on both sides of the conflict, which caused more than one audience member to jump in their seat. The violence combined with language land the film with an R rating. To accompany the violence there is also a small sense of dry humor in the film. Crowe takes an indifferent attitude early on in the movie and maintains it throughout by balancing his take-no-prisoners, trust-no-one attitude with his day-to-day fatherly tasks, like taking the kids to soccer practice. DiCaprio brings a sense of realism to the movie as he is caught between his relationship of trust with the Jordanian officials and his over-bearing boss sitting peacefully at home. All in all the movie is a must see for all of those needing excitement and perspective. This film will arrive in theaters on October 10th. t&c;
AP PHOTO BY FRANCOIS DUHAMEL
