Movie Review: Body of Lies

"Rendition." "Redacted." "The Kingdom." "In the Valley of Elah." "Lions for Lambs."

They're all movies about the war on terror that nobody has wanted to see, either because the topic is too daunting or too much of a downer, or it's simply too soon after 9/11.

Add "Body of Lies" to that list, even though it's probably the most worthwhile and least preachy of the bunch.

The pieces would all seem to be in place for a compelling take on this complex topic: strong work from acting heavyweights Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio; an intricate script from William Monahan, an Academy Award winner for "The Departed"; and the virtuoso visual styling of director Ridley Scott.

Of course, it looks great as it bounces breathlessly between Iraq and Jordan, Qatar and the Netherlands, Dubai and the Virginia suburbs; Scott seamlessly blends footage shot by overhead drones with intense, paranoid sequences from the cramped streets below. And yet the result, with its many explosions and shootouts, too often feels like a generic action picture.

It's as if Scott & Co. felt they needed to make the material palatable to the widest possible audience by turning it into a familiar genre picture, rather than sticking to their guns and making, well, "Syriana."

Based on the novel of the same name by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, "Body of Lies" follows undercover CIA operative Roger Ferris (DiCaprio), who's trying to ferret out the mastermind behind a series of anonymous bombings around the world. At the same time, Ferris' boss, Ed Hoffman (Crowe), is running surveillance and plotting strategy from the United States with the help of his ever-present cell-phone headset and laptop.

But despite their shared goals and mutual dependence, Ferris and Hoffman often end up miscommunicating and undermining each other. This becomes especially true when Ferris tries to chat up the smooth Jordanian intelligence chief (Mark Strong, who nearly steals the whole movie), a man who holds Hoffman in disdain and has been reluctant to aid in the CIA's efforts.

It's a joy to watch DiCaprio and Crowe verbally sparring, even though they infrequently share the same space: Most of their characters' communication takes place over the phone. DiCaprio is high-strung and arrogant; Crowe is low-key and arrogant and, in typically Method fashion, he put on 50 pounds for the part and added a Southern drawl.

Each character thinks that what he's doing is the right course for the greater good. But when you break down "Body of Lies" to its most fundamental elements, it's really about disagreeing with your boss.

It's "Office Space" with more carnage, "9 to 5" where peril is present 24/7. Maybe this topic is relatable after all.

MOVIE REVIEW

Body of Lies **½

MOVIE BOARD RATING: R; strong violence, including some torture and for profanity throughout

STARS: Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio

DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott

LOCATION: See Movie Times, Page 9, for local showtimes.

PLOT SUMMARY: A CIA operative tries to find the terrorist behind a series of bombings around the world.

RUNNING TIME: 128 minutes

ON THE WEB: bodyoflies .warnerbros.com