Hey folks, Harry here... I saw this film last night, enjoyed everything that takes place on 'the Farm' part of the film, however as soon as we "go on the mission" I really became quite bored. Pacino is, yet again, doing his SCENT OF A WOMAN character which is growing tiresome quickly. Colin Farrell is quite good. The score is terrible. The ending is truly awful. In all, I wish I had stayed home and watched more from the Marilyn Monroe Diamond Callection DVD sets I've just picked up. The writer below seemed to really enjoy the film, and I'm sure some of you will as well. Here's Pyul MacTackle...
Hey Harry,
Long time reader, first time writer Raka-raka. Last night I was lucky enough to check out the new Roger Donaldson (13 Days, No Way Out and The Bounty) flick The Recruit (aka The Farm). Now being a big Colin Farrell fan and of course loving the scene chewing stylings of Al "you can tell my emotion by the level at which I scream at you" Pacino my ass was one of the first in line. I've read some early reviews that mainly railed on Pacino for well, being Pacino, and I wasn't sure what to expect. But let me tell you, this film didn't disappoint.
This is a pretty cut and dry paranoid techno thriller directed and edited as if Donaldson were really a front for Tony Scott. This film feels so much like Spy Game, Enemy of the State and it's psudo-predacessor Coppola's The Conversation, that I had to come home and watch a triple feature of those films. It really fits in well with all of these techno-thriller classics while remaining it's own beast entirely.
The Recruit is exactly as advertised: Farrell is a young college grad tapped by Pacino to train at the CIA training acadamy known as the Farm where he proves to be one hell of a candidate. But of course, that's when the paranoia begins to set in, and as in the trailer were told "Nothing is at it seems." Well, that's almost right. While partially predictible, this film still manages to deliver on the same kind of thrills and turns in a few well crafted surprises to keep you on the edge till the very end where we're delivered an excellent final "Oh Shit" moment.
Farrell, while not really given the material to shine like he had in Tigerland, turns in a great, strong, leading man performance and pacino, well, Pacino yells alot but still maintains a great presence in the movie in a roll that typically would have gon to Ron Silver. In fact, there were moments where I actually expected Ron Silver to walk out rather than Pacino. Odd, strange, but true. And Bridget Moynahan...Holy God Almighty!!! In Sum of All Fears she was positively adorable, but here, Holy Christ! She's just pure, irresistible sexuality. She does a great job, delivering in several key scenes drawing in Both Farrell and audience alike into her charms. The chemistry between Farrell and Moynahan is undeniable, but again, her chemistry with leading men is ALWAYS undeniable. This is someone who I hope we see alot more of in films to come.
On the whole this film is quite a bit of fun and does alot with tension without there being much violence at all. This film builds itself with very classic tension and maintains your interest the whole way through. I definately have to say this is one of those films you can easily judge your interest in with other films. If you dug Spy Games and Enemy of the State then you will get a kick out of this one as it's easily on par. If these films weren't your cup of tea and your one of those film snobs that think that Tony Scott is a talentless hack with a genius brother, than Donaldson's film is not for you and you should probably see Man From La Mancha (which totally rocks) this weekend instead.
before anyone can say it in talkback: First! and PLANT!!! there, now discuss my plantiness away. If you use this Harry, call me Pyul MacTackle.
Pyul MacTackle
