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Body of Lies is one of the year’s best, a technically proficient but powerful and entertaining spy drama.

Body of Lies is a first-rate, powerfully entertaining and heavy CIA thriller expertly helmed by one of cinema’s best directors, with a top-notch script and featuring two of today‘s top actors. One of the year’s best films, the finely pedigreed Lies ushers in a crop of serious dramas that will no doubt compete for Oscar gold. In spite of a few flaws including an overly complex plot and one tortured actor, Body of Lies is a technically accomplished film that packs a big punch.

Leonardo DiCaprio is Roger Ferris, a CIA operative based in the Middle East, uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan. Ferris devises an intricate, complex plan to infiltrate the terrorist leader’s network but he must work with a couple of key allies. First is cunning CIA veteran Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe), who essentially runs the whole mid east operation from his cell phone, and the collegial but highly suspect Hani (Mark Strong), the leader of Jordanian intelligence who likes Ferris. The three men must work together in unusual fashion to bring down the suspected terrorist, Omar Sadiki (Ali Suliman) whose large network becomes increasingly dangerous with each deadly explosions he times in a different part of the globe.

Based on the 2007 David Ignatius novel, Body of Lies is a highly entertaining and well-paced spy thriller that reminds of such movies as Syriana and Three Days of the Condor. Spy films such as this rely heavily on three elements in this order to work well: writing, direction and acting. If the first two fail, then the last doesn’t work regardless of how good the actor - the recent Traitor is a prime example of this. However, in the case of Lies, both the writing and direction are more memorable than the acting.

This is a first-rate drama, with a solid, affecting script from Oscar-winner William Monahan, who follows The Departed with this absorbing thriller. Monahan adeptly interprets some of the more thickly plotted espionage elements for the average civilian. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to get murky when the CIA is involved, and an unnecessary romantic subplot that as in the book, is its weakest plot element.

Fortunately, Lies is directed by Ridley Scott, a veteran filmmaker who directed Gladiator and American Gangster  (both with Crowe) and this shows he is at the top of his game and Oscar-worthy. Scott brings his visually exuberant style to this movie, and is very skilled at balancing a film‘s technical aspects and its actors. The opening chapters of Lies are its most memorable, peppered with several stunningly realistic, powerful explosions that become the clear highlight of the film. Scott keeps the pace moving briskly enough even in its murkiest sections, and those explosions are timed very well when the story needs it.

The acting in Lies is more difficult to pinpoint and possibly its weakest aspect. With a contrast of acting styles, it will leave audiences talking but in different ways than you might think. Upfront, it is Crowe who gives a better and more subtle performance of the two leads with less screen time. With a sloppy, paunchy look and Southern drawl, he hardly raises his voice and is remarkably laid back, a real treat to watch. Crowe has an Oscar to his credit and seemingly little to prove in his understated role as a tough dog, smarmy CIA agent.

Conversely, the talented DiCaprio has no Oscar and everything to prove in a showy role as the tortured CIA agent. If Crowe is a tough dog, then DiCaprio is the frisky cat with nine lives, who (as he often does) tries too hard at showing intensity, this time by getting beat senseless in many scenes. This seems to be DiCaprio’s Oscar grab ala Clooney and Syriana - here are my battle wounds, now give me an award. Give him credit, DiCaprio is a gifted actor who gives it his all - but this still isn’t his best role.

Body of Lies isn’t perfect - it’s plot and messages are fuzzy and muddled at best - CIA loyalty, terrorism at large et al and you’re better to sit back and enjoy the more satisfying aspects of the movie: the powerful explosions, Crowe and the superb production elements, particularly its stunning production and set design. For those who care about these things, Lies was largely filmed on U.S. soil, an amazing, Oscar-worthy feat that must be seen to be believed.

Body of Lies will likely end up with a slew of deserving award nominations in technical categories, and hopefully one for Scott too. Detractors may feel like DiCaprio at the end of the film - exhausted and bruised - but it’s superbly done and well worth a viewing.

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