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Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani, Oscar Isaac ... see more see more... , Ali Suliman , Alon Aboutboul , Vince Colosimo , Simon McBurney , Mehdi Nebbou , Michael Gaston , Kais Nashef , Jameel Khoury , Lubna Azabal , Ghali Benlafkih , Youssef Srondy , Ali El Khalil , Giannina Facio , Chase Edmunds , Morgan A. Vick , Michael Stuhlbarg , Sherif Eltayeb , David Ganly , Bijan Daneshmand , Houda Zbit , Omar Berdouni , Richard DeMayo , Clara Khoury , Abdu Rahim Kashmir , Sami Samir , Xanthe Elbrick , Ali Alvi , Zef Balbona , Vedant Gokhale , Ran Nikfam , Albert Twanmo , Ellie Wang , Allen Lidkey , Drif Said , Zakaria Atifi , William Meredith , Howard W. Overshown , Kathy Brady , Quentin Mare , Matt Gulbranson , Jill Wolsey , Annabelle Wallis , Ben Youcef , Oscar Issac , Carice van Houten

Fresh off of their success with director Martin Scorsese's The Departed, star Leonardo DiCaprio and screenwriter William Monahan team with director Ridley Scott for this screen adaptation of David Ign... read more read more...atius' novel Body of Lies. When CIA operative Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) uncovers evidence indicating that a major terrorist leader may be operating out of Jordan, he enlists the aid of CIA veteran Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe) in infiltrating the elusive saboteur's vast underground network. During the course of his dangerous mission, Ferris gradually comes to question how much he can trust his presumed allies -- who include not just Hoffman, but the outwardly helpful head of Jordanian intelligence as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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65% liked it

124,915 ratings

Critics

54% liked it

200 critics

R, 2 hr. 8 min.

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Release Date: October 8, 2008

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DVD Release Date: February 17, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (7,703)

  • fb100001050230219
    February 12, 2012
    fb100001050230219
    One of Ridley Scott's most underrated movies.
  • TheGame90
    January 24, 2012
    TheGame90
    I don't know what to say. It's a good movie. But I just feel I have no personal interest in the story. It's well done and all...so...good for them. And let's remember everybody...This is Lenny D's big 10-0
  • cosmo313
    December 27, 2011
    cosmo313
    Based on a novel, this is a spy thriller about the hunt for a fictional "jihadist" terrorist conducted by the combined efforts of the CIA and Jordanian Intelligence. Roger Ferris is the CIA's main man in the field. Along with his efforts to capture the elusive terrorist mastermin... read mored he begins a tentative romantic relationship with a local nurse named Aisha. No matter what he is doing though, he is almost always being observed by a surveillance camera from high above. On the other end of that camera is his superior Ed Hoffman, who, despite his years of experience and guidance, might not be as on the level as he should. Their (mostly Roger's) main contact on the Jordanian side is Hani, the head of Jordanin Intelligence. To make matters interesting (besides the romantic subplot), the various tactics and methods of the three men don't always align, and everyone begins to learn that trust can be just as dangerous as it is important.

    Adapted by Oscar winning screenwriter William Monaghan and helmed by Oscar nominated film legend Ridley Scott, this is an old fashioned spy thriller (in plot basics and formula) with a contemporary update and execution (with style, plot specifics, and context). It's engaging, thought provoking, and a fairly solid thriller. That it looks great, has a lot of talent involved, and tries to insert contemporary (and relevant) issues and events into a standard sort of yarn gives it a lot of weight as well.

    It's mostly works, but it's not without its issues, mainly being perhaps a tad too contrived and convoluted (mostly with its use of typical genre plot machinations), and not having a good finish to what could have been a potent subplot (the romance). About the first problem: this isn't the most dense or intricately layered film, but still, it seems a bit murky. About the romance: I was worried at first that the thing between Roger and Aisha would just be something shoehorned in there just for the sake of contrast to the rest of the film, and I started to be right, but then the film started to show some growth and development, especially with a scene where Roger vistis Aisha and her sister and gets into a cultural debate. After that though, the film does as I originally expected, and turns the romance into a typical plot device and ceases doing anymore with it, which is a shame because it started off with a nicely established cultural context and buildup.

    I did enjoy the cinematography, complete with context specific lighting, gorgeous landscape shots, and in general camera placement, and the film's themes and discussions of various issues, mostly the socio-political-cultural stuff. It's a decent enough yarn, and the performances are pretty decent, especially the three main players (Leonardo DiCaprio as Roger, Russell Crowe as Ed, and Mark Strong (the real scene stealer) as Hani). Despite all that's good though, I think the film could have been better had it been more balanced, a little more straightforward, and perhaps just reworked all over. Had that been done, the film could have had a more satisfying finish (though it's not a complete letdown or failure, just a tad underwhelming). Also, I know there have been great advances in technology, but I find it hard to believe that everyone in this film has excellent cell phone reception at all times.

    This is not one of Scott's masterworks, but despite it's flaws, it's not scarred enough to rank as one of his lowest efforts. I'd call it somewhere on the low end of the high side. You should give it a watch though, because it's got a lot to offer, does a lot of stuff fairly well, and provides a decent amount of entertainment.
  • SirPant
    September 28, 2011
    SirPant
    I wouldn't say Body of Lies is a return to form for Ridley Scott but along with American Gangster, it's certainly making up for a spell of bad films. It's the best I've seen Leonardo DiCaprio I have to say, I'm not usually a fan but I thought he did a great job here. I also liked... read more Russell Crowe, although I still haven't quite forgiven either he or Ridley Scott for Another Year just yet. The contrast and ongoing relationship between the man in the field and the man making the decisions at home is what gives this film the edge. The acting is good, the action thrilling but tasteful and the story is pretty good too. I didn't care much for the love interest story line, it didn't seem in keeping with character but it was a good film overall.
  • Julie
    September 11, 2011
    Julie
    There are some big holes in this plot, big enough that not even Leo and Russell can manage to plug them up. But not a horrible way to spend a few hours.
  • danperry17
    July 3, 2011
    danperry17
    Maybe it's because the many bad reviews lowered my expectations, but I found this movie entertaining enough. The love story was shoehorned in and unnecessary - does every movie HAVE to have a love story, now? - but otherwise, the plot was solid, and the suspense kept ratcheting u... read morep as the film moved along. The conclusion was a little implausible, and the roles didn't demand a lot from these talented actors (though they acquitted themselves well), but a ho-hum outing from Ridley Scott still ranks above some of the crappy imitations out there. Fun, disposable intrigue.
  • DreamExtractor
    April 16, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    I disagree with other people, this movie had action, a great screenplay, and great performances. The concept wasnt really original, but Ridley Scott just makes it work. I really enjoyed this movie.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    April 12, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Body Of Lies is an intense thrill ride based on David Ignatius's bestseller of the same name. Ridley Scott adapts Ignatius's book with flair and a good idea of the source material and creates a pulse pounding action thriller film. I've always loved espionage action thriller, and ... read moreBody Of Lies makes the short list of memorable Espionage films. Body Of Lies tells the story of a CIA operative who has uncovered a major Terrorist cell operating out of Jordan, CIA operative Roger Ferries devises a plan to infiltrate the network. Ridley Scott's direction is as usual terrific, and he crafts a terrific film. The cast he has recruited are an impressive bunch of talented actors. Especially the talent here are some of favorite actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe and Mark Strong are the most memorable actors to act in this film. Each of them deliver great performances. Body Of Lies is a brilliant Espionage film with a strong cast, and superb storytelling. The film is never boring or dull, and keeps you engaged in the pulse pounding storyline. Body Of Lies combines fact with fiction in one good story that is one of the best espionage films since The Hunt For Red October. Body Of Lies almost takes the Tom Clancy approach of telling a story, but it strives to be totally different too. Body Of Lies is simply put an awesome film that will definitely appeal to Espionage film fans. Body Of Lies is brilliantly acted and told is the best espionage film since The Bourne Ultimatum.
  • ironclad1609
    February 11, 2011
    ironclad1609
    Whether or not this film about the CIA undercover work in the middle east is realistic or not is hard to say as someone with no further knowledge on the topic. The fact that DiCaprio's work on the secret service front constantly gets compromised by his boss in the US seems a bit ... read moretoo much, though. That makes for a lot of talking, plotting, not trusting anyone, which is somewhat entertaining, sometimes even exciting, but also a tad confusing every once in a while. The acting is top notch of course, especially Mark Strong as Jordanian secret service boss is wonderfully daunting. With a bit more speed and action this film could have been as haunting as The Kingdom. As it is, the film still has some interesting things to say about the conflict, and naturally doesn't see a solution either.
  • emilebond007
    January 16, 2011
    emilebond007
    Ridley Scott, decent.

    Leonardo DiCaprio, above average, as always.

    Russell Crowe, pretty goddamn great and hilarious.



    I really liked that movie. It doesn't bring anything new to the genre, but it's still surprising and visually stunning.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan F. Richards
November 10, 2008
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com

Good solid far-fetched multiplex action-adventure fare in the Bondian mode, with awe-inspiring technology and just enough moral philosophizing laced through it to give the mind a little something to c... Full Review

Ben Lyons
November 10, 2008
Ben Lyons, At the Movies

Just because it's really dense and layered doesn't mean it's good. Full Review

Ben Mankiewicz
November 10, 2008
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

A complicated movie about the war on terror with two terrific performances and a terrific director. Full Review

Michael Phillips
October 18, 2008
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

DiCaprio's solid, though I wonder if a real CIA agent could get away with looking so earnest every second. Crowe has the right idea, in addition to all the fun: Just throw it away, throw it away and p... Full Review

Tom Charity
October 18, 2008
Tom Charity, CNN.com

Yes, there are a couple of chase scenes, but Scott rarely shifts into high gear. Full Review

Peter Rainer
October 13, 2008
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

A high-priced potboiler that never comes to a boil. Full Review

Christopher Orr
October 10, 2008
Christopher Orr, New Republic

Its chief bid at seriousness, a confrontational colloquy with the top terrorist near the end of the film, comes across as the awkward regurgitation of a hastily swallowed subscription to The Economist. Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
October 10, 2008
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

It's a study in semisimilitude, more Google-Earthly than grounded in feelings. Full Review

Claudia Puig
October 10, 2008
Claudia Puig, USA Today

The plot occasionally becomes convoluted and murky, but when it trains its focus on matters of treachery and intrigue, Body of Lies is exciting and compelling. Full Review

Peter Howell
October 10, 2008
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Body of Lies is more than anything a missed opportunity -- or perhaps, given its cellular phoniness, a series of missed connections. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Ed Hoffman: Ed Hoffman doesn't know shit until he steals it from the guy on the ground and that's me.
    • Hani: This is unusual. Your Ed Hoffman would rather have less information than share what he has with me.
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Body of Lies Trivia

  • "Here lies the body of Mary Lee; died at the age of a hundred and three. For fifteen years she kept her virginity; not a bad record for this vicinity." A rhyme which can be heard in which Steven Spielberg movie?  Answer »
  • Ridley Scott(as director) and Russell Crowe(as an actor) have collaborated on 3 movies before the upcoming "Body Of Lies" and "Sheriff Of Nothingham". 2 of them are "American Gangster" and "Gladiator". Name the 3rd movie.  Answer »
  • who stars in body of lies   Answer »
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