The Recruit

Touchstone Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment present a Birnbaum/Barber production.

Starring: Al Pacino and Colin Ferrell

Directed by: Roger Donaldson

Plot: A young good looking computer geek(Like if there were many of them) James Clayton. He meets a CIA recruiter (Al Pacino) who entices him to join the CIA after saying he has information on his father. Clayton goes to this training facility called "The Farm" and not only learns becoming a CIA agent really blows but he falls in love with someone who might be the enemy.

Acting: This movie was made to be slow and its all set up basically. So you need really good actors to keep the audience from just leaving and seeing Biker Boyz or some crap. So casting Colin Ferrell who I think is one of the at least cooler actors out there to star in this movie was a good idea. Al Pacino although does easily steal the show with lines that are so over the top that you love it. The casting to have the two of these guys working off of each other is just great. Those two are not the only one's to be noticed. Bridget Moynahan did such a good job as the woman that seduces Clayton that she alone keeps the tension in the movie alive. The chemistry off of these two characters you could boil water on it it was so hot. So altogether great work by the entire cast.

Writing/Directing: Good stuff, I haft to say I need to see this movie. This one was smart and fun at the same time. Lately movies have been some what fun but not at all smart in any way. This movie really makes sure you connect with characters so the twisting around at the end really makes you care. Towards the end of this movie the twists were taking affect on me and I really wanted to know. The timing in this movie was perfect keeping the laid back fun of watching these people work on how to become agents in the beginning but as it got to the end to kick up the white knuckle action was just great. I really was nervous during this one scene in a sub way train station. I doubt this is how the CIA really works at all. One scene where Pacino tells Clayton and other recruits to go into a bar and pick up a girl. Besides all that its really fun to watch and just imagine its really like that and setting yourself up to get turned around at the end.

Overall: I am a huge Colin Ferrell fan so I haft to admit I was walking into this movie already happy but it did show me something. That this guy can act and I can't wait for Phone Booth. Anyway back to this movie. This isn't a big action movie or anything its just smart with good dialogue and plenty of other cool things to watch. So if it comes down to you watching this movie or lets say Kangaroo Jack one night just ask yourself one question. How stupid are you? Go see the Recruit!!!

Stars:****

Overall: