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The Recruit

Starring: Al Pacino, Colin Farrell
Director: Roger Donaldson
Genre: Thriller
Year: 2003
Rating: 4 / 5

Just as is often the case with his contemporary Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino is regularly accused of mailing in an over-the-top performance. It is said that he glides through films on reputation alone, propelled less by his acting chops than by the larger-than-life persona he has cultivated through his last ten years of work. (Enjoyable – although artistically marginal – offerings such as The Devil’s Advocate spring readily to mind.) What is lost in the discussion is that America apparently enjoys watching Pacino give such performances, provided he is not acting opposite a digitally-created co-star. (Please strike Simone from our collective memories.) Pairing him with a couple of likeable young stars such as Colin Farrell and Bridget Moynahan only adds to the mix, helping to make The Recruit a rather entertaining thriller.

James Clayton (Colin Farrell) is an arrogant young man who happens to be exceptionally intelligent, one with a bright future despite questionable attitude. While fielding potential job offers right out of school, Clayton is contacted by Walter Burke (Al Pacino), a shady figure hailing from the CIA. He sees promise in Clayton and invites him to The Farm, the CIA’s training facility for potential recruits. If he’s willing, the young man will be pitted against his peers in order to determine who has what it takes to join the Agency. Despite some initial haggling with Burke, Clayton is ready to test his mettle – and, just as importantly, his ego – to see if he can handle this latest challenge.

After an endless assortment of grueling tests, Clayton is pulled aside by Burke to discuss a new assignment. The Agency has concerns that a fellow trainee may be a double agent, smuggling secrets out of the CIA compound. Nothing is what it seems, Burke often reminds his young charge, something Clayton slowly begins to realize. As his investigation deepens and the pursuit heats up, Clayton realizes that he does not know who to trust and where to turn. The end game is at hand, and Clayton must trust himself and his own instincts, for two opposing forces are at work, with the prized recruit firmly planted in the middle.

For maximum enjoyment of this film, forget everything you know about the teasers and trailers promoting it. While all secrets are not revealed, too much information is given away by these short snippets. What cannot be demonstrated, however, is how well Colin Farrell holds up opposite his legendary co-star. The verdict is still out on whether or not Farrell will end up being Hollywood’s next leading man, but the kid shows plenty of poise in such distinguished company. Bridget Moynahan is a refreshing arrival as James Clayton’s fellow trainee Layla Moore, providing a good foil for the young would-be agent. Ultimately, though, The Recruit rides on the coattails of Pacino and a suspenseful story, and for that, we can all be grateful.

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG-13 for violence and language.
Running Time: 115 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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