RECRUIT, THE
Released: January 31, 2003
It seems that every few movies Al Pacino does tend to be silly movies. This is one of the silly ones. I asked Pacino's handlers for an interview with the star while he was in Toronto shooting "The Recruit" but I was denied, he doesn't do interviews while executing his craft. Well, apparently he didn't read the script and detect the silly factor. This film, originally titled "The Farm" until a change was suggested to avoid any misunderstandings from moviegoers expecting a movie about cows and pigs, is about a brilliant young CIA trainee (Colin Farrell) is asked by his mentor (Pacino) to help find a mole in the Agency. The first chunk of the movie is captivating and all the CIA training stuff is great. Then it all falls apart and the predictable last third negates anything that preceded it. Go see it, however, for the always fun to watch Pacino. He's one of the greatest actors around and seeing him in B rate material is still very entertaining. Newcomer Colin Farrell is still finding his definitive starring role but he does a good job here. The lovely Bridget Moynahan ("The Sum Of All Fears") is the possible mole and definite love interest and she is good at doing what she can with a pretty scant character. Director Roger ("Cadillac Man", "Species") Donaldson has done better but this is a nice time killer as a matinee or a rental.
115 Minutes
Touchstone/Beuna Vista