NVDL rates Body of Lies

Ed Hoffman: Our world as we know it is much simpler... to put to an end than you might think.

The worst thing about this film is the title. Even having watched the film - and it's worth watching - the title doesn't work. It doesn't fit. Secrets and Lies...better, but it's probably been done, and sounds like an adulterous story set in Los Angeles. Surgery in the Sand... The Heart of the Fire. Hey, maybe Body of Lies isn't so bad after all...

These days you can't go wrong watching a flick featuring Leonardo di Caprio. He is one of a handful of intelligent, conscientious (no bullshit) actors out there. This is a gritty movie about a tired subject (the war on terror), handled by the slick, rivet ting Ridley Scott. Scott is a master of the action movie - think American Gangster. Some of the desert scenes in Body of Lies are breathtaking, beautiful, and deadly. The latter aspect comes through very strongly - how dangerous and deadly the adventures in Iraq actually are.

Ed Hoffman: Nobody's innocent in this shit.

Russell Crowe puts in a memorable performance as the arrogant and flatulent Ed Hoffman. Mark Strong (whose he) puts in perhaps the best performance as 'Hani' - head of Syrian (is it?) secret service.

Hani: You Americans are incapable of secrets because of your democracy.

Leo as Ferris conveys an important truth - maybe there is a lot of blood and death in the Middle East. Even so, each life can be remembered and treated with some value and respect. Each life, not just the lives from your side.

A powerful movie. IMDB gives it a 7.7. I give it an 8.