The Recruit *** (2003, Al Pacino, Colin Farrell, Bridget Moynahan, Gabriel Macht) – Classic Movie Review 961

‘Rule number one: do not get caught.’ – Walter Burke (Al Pacino).

Director Roger Donaldson’s diverting 2003 thriller stars Al Pacino, who enjoys himself hugely in another role that he could play standing on his head, as Walter Burke, a cynical CIA instructor to new recruit James Clayton (Colin Farrell). The brilliant young CIA trainee is asked by his mentor to help find a mole in the Agency.

Old Al puts young Colin through a load of wicked trouble on an evil training regime in a movie where we’re told ‘nothing is at it seems’. This proves a bit of an own goal, since, with that in mind, the bad guy’s easy to spot.

Still, Pacino (literally) spits out his lines with his customary relish and gusto, and the then flavour-of-the-month new star Farrell eats up his showy sweaty T-shirt role.

Donaldson’s splashy film is made with a lot of flashy style and energy, and, though the story really hasn’t a shred of credibility, with Colin and Al battling it out so enjoyably, that doesn’t stop it being enormously entertaining. Bridget Moynahan co-stars as Layla Moore, with Gabriel Macht as Zack.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 961

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