The Recruit (2003)

7/10

Everything is a Test!!! That's a Good and Bad Thing.

he_who_leads14 May 2007

'The Recruit,' is an MIT whiz kid James Clayton (Colin Farrel). His recruiter is CIA guy Walter Burke (Al Pacino). He is the head guy at the CIA training centre, 'the farm,' which Clayton and fellow trainee/love interest Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan) go through.

The movie is good enough to watch but is not entirely riveting. You see, we are told 'everything is a test!!!' and this lurks behind every plot turn that Clayton goes through. Are his problems for real? Or is it just another training test by Burke? If this sounds like tense stuff, it is and it isn't. Sometimes it will hook you in but other times it is just annoying - the feeling that he's not in any real danger but its all just a drill. Interest goes up and down until after the 'farm' training stuff. At this point, the story's focus gets much sharper and things become more consistently interesting, with a few cool twists. This is quite a fair way into the movie, though.

I love Pacino, and was quite interested in whether Farrell could match him after the promise he showed in 'Minority Report.' Well he does. In fact, everyone holds their own and the combined chemistry boosts the film. Pacino is steady throughout and doesn't do his unrestrained thing until the end (its still worth the wait!). Also, Moynahan is thankfully given more to do than just be the obligatory chick/eye-candy.

Overall, decent enough to give a whirl. It's better than most of the other spy / thriller stuff out there.

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6/10

Cat and Mole

=G=28 May 2003

In "The Recruit" a computer whiz (Farrell) is recruited to be trained as a CIA operative and ends up playing cat and mole inside the agency while keeping the audience wondering who's "cat" and who's "mole". The film is a slick shoot with a convoluted plot which tries to work the notion that in the spy game no one can trust anyone. Unfortunately the film is dumbed down, full of plot holes and obvious contrivances, doesn't work well in the human drama, and relies too much on techno-junk and gobbledygook computer hacking spy stuff. Though "The Recruit" isn't much of a movie given the talent behind it, it is busy and keeps you guessing all the way to the conclusion. An okay watch for Pacino fans and anyone in the mood for a lukewarm spy flick. (B-)

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8/10

Not the most original thriller, but it does exactly what you can expect from it.

philip_vanderveken20 April 2005

For some reason or another, this movie wasn't really accepted by the majority of the audience and I wonder why that is. I'm not saying it is a masterpiece, but this is still a movie with Al Pacino and Colin Farrell. Both actors and especially Al Pacino are normally good for some decent fun and some good acting and it wasn't any different in this movie.

This movie tells us the story of James Clayton (Colin Farrell), a young computer graduate who is recruited by Walter Burke (Al Pacino) to work for the CIA. Despite Clayton's unconventional attitude, Burke sees in him one of the best agents the CIA can wish for. That's why he'll guide Clayton through the difficult training courses and helps him to quickly rise through the ranks. Once the training period is over Clayton gets a special assignment, he'll have to detect a mole that has infiltrated in the CIA. But will his training be enough and was Burke right about the fact that this may well be the best agent ever?

This movie is perhaps not the most original thriller ever, but it delivers everything that it is asked for. It's a good movie, full of suspense and decent acting. And for those who are interested: it also gives an insight on how the trainees are recruited, how they are prepared to be a spy and what they learn to survive. I don't know anything about it, but I guess it all looked pretty accurate. Anyway, I enjoyed watching this movie and I give it a 7.5/10.

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A bit too twisty but still entertaining

bob the moo23 March 2003

When computer hacker and barman James Clayton is approached by CIA recruiter Walter Burke he is enticed by offers of information about his father who died in a plane crash, supposedly in the employment of Shell Oil. On the farm (the CIA training facility) Clayton learns that everything is all part of training. However in a world where every act is a deception and everyone holds secrets not everything is as it seems as friends and lovers conceal deception and treachery.

With two real good names at the head of the cast this was an easy draw for me I wanted to see it before I even knew what it was about and was able to get preview tickets. The main thing to know is that this is a very mainstream thriller. I thought it may have some subversive comments to make about the role of the CIA in this post 9-11 world but it is very straight. As such it is very self contained and never really wanders outside it's parameters and even the computer programme that makes up the second half is never given a global view.

Although this may take away from the impact it can have as a bit of political commentary it does mean that it moves a little more freely and is very entertaining at it's best. The main weakness it has is that it is too twisty. Films that have shock twists usually are shocking because they only have one big twist as opposed to several. The Recruit has so many twists that, after the first 15 minutes, you expect everything you see to be a twist and thus you take away from it's impact. It still has clever bits but I found myself more surprised when things turned out to be what they seemed as opposed the twist I was waiting for.

Pacino is really good in the lead as he gets to play a mysterious sort of teacher type. It is nothing that really stretches his range but he is very watchable. Proving that he does have potential, Farrell is really magnetic when he is onscreen. I have seen him in Phone Booth only a few weeks ago and really like him now. He is sexy but also keeps an air of realism that makes me buy into him (even when his character is a bit Bondish). The support cast are OK but the male duo in the lead basically hold the attention by themselves.

Overall this was a pretty enjoyable thriller that maybe overdoes the twists to the point that you expect them. The leads are good and the film plays well with lots of spy coolness. One thing to watch for is the sign at one point that reads `The George Bush Centre for Intelligence', the audience I was in gave a murmur of laughter when they spotted it!

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6/10

Good enough

rbverhoef10 November 2003

'The Recruit' is good enough for a nice evening but that doesn't mean the movie is very good. It is about James Clayton (Colin Farrell) who is recruited by CIA spy Walter Burke (Al Pacino). On a place called The Farm he and others including the beautiful Layla (Bridget Moynahan) are trained to become CIA agents. They learn to kill and all the stuff you see James Bond and such do in other movies.

It is all very entertaining but not very believable. Entertaining because of Al Pacino who almost always is fun to watch and because of Colin Farrell. I liked him in 'Tigerland' and since then he has only done good. The real star in 'Minority Report', the best thing in 'Daredevil' and a great performance in 'Phone Booth', and now a good reason to watch 'The Recruit'.

'The Recruit' is entertaining, but one plot twist after another, most of them predictable; it is just a little too much.

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6/10

Good spy action thriller with passable performances...

dwpollar29 June 2003

1st watched 6/28/2003 - 6 out of 10(Dir-Roger Donaldson): Good spy action thriller with passable performances by the leads Farrell, Pacino and Moynahan. This isn't quite on-the-edge-of-your-seat material but there is a lot of good information given to you about the CIA to almost make it a how-to type of film at least in the first half. The 2nd half wonders more into the action-thriller genre but always keeps you guessing. Farrell is recruited by a CIA agent to be trained as one and we get to see how they are trained in a place called the `Farm', which is a special school for the CIA. Pacino's character constantly is stressing to Farrell and the audience that not everything is as it seems. This becomes kind of the theme throughout the movie as the viewer tries to figure out what's real and what's not. This is quite a challenge in this film considering that being deceptive is part of the job of the CIA agent. Another statement made by Pacino's character is that `everything is a test' also helps in the confusion of the reality issue. After Farrell goes thru the `Farm', he is assigned a special case to investigate someone that he seems to care(Moynahan) about, as a possible double-agent. The truth is twisted a couple of times near the end of the film but we're able to figure it out when it's all over. The 1st half and the 2nd half of this movie could actually each stand alone and that's what weakens the picture is the attempt to put both the CIA drama and the action-thriller together. All in all this is good viewing but could have been much better but it's apparent that the makers were ok with just ok, and that's ok.

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7/10

I was recruited until the end

fivejewels2dogs28 March 2005

The Recruit has too many sub-plots and twists and turns. Pacino takes on the role as a CIA recruiter with a vengeance. Colin Farrell is spectacular as the recruit. His CIA girl friend (Moynahan) is extremely sexy, but Farrell manages to steal the scenes from her, one by one. It's directed with plenty of drama, mystery and intrigue. But there's something wrong with the movie? Could it be the studio? Or the writing? Don't know, I wasn't there. What I do know is that it's a great idea, but someone along the way messed it up big-time. If I was Pacino, I would have final say on the script and final cut. He must have been fuming. To make him do a Scarface sort of thing was absolutely pathetic. When the movie was over I felt cheated. Out of my DVD money and out of a good ending.

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6/10

Exactly how it seems

ferguson-61 February 2003

Greetings again from the darkness. Al Pacino's character is fond of saying "nothing is what it seems". I say this movie is exactly how it seems. There desperately needed to be some twist and turns. Collin Farrell ("Minority Report" and the upcoming "Phone Booth") again proves the camera loves him. He has the screen presence that Pacino had prior to becoming a parody of himself. Hey Al, what is the deal with the pants that are 6 inches too long? Bridget Moynahan is developing into a nice actress with lead potential. Director Roger Donaldson ("No Way Out" and "Cocktail", among others) does a nice job of capturing CIA training on "the farm", but the movie falls apart at the end with a cheap device to solve the movie.

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8/10

Wonderfully filmed espionage

UniqueParticle5 February 2020

A bit complicated well orchestrated CIA experience with handsome Colin Ferrel and legendary Al Pacino! The bulk of the movie had many training exercises that characters had to go through to further themselves into the CIA agency but there's ins and outs that the viewer has to understand if not they might not appreciate it. I'm surprised on IMDB it doesn't say action, thriller, mystery it should!

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7/10

Something is wrong at "The Farm"

jotix1005 May 2004

This thriller, directed by Roger Donaldson, starts on a promissory note, only to fizzle at the end because a terrible conclusion by the screen writers Robert Towne and Kurt Wimmer. There are no doubts that this trio started with better intentions, but the finished product doesn't amount to a satisfying movie.

Al Pacino, as the recruiter, plays a sly role here. He is always a step ahead of the action, but his transformation at the end leaves the viewer wondering and asking questions. Colin Farrell, plays the intelligent and talented recruit. He is very effective and convincing. Bridget Moynahan is Layla, a mysterious recruit who might be working for the wrong side.

While the film is very keeps one's imagination going, it demands a more logical ending, or at least something one can feel not being let down by its false resolution.

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5/10

Deja view

skymovies3 October 2003

Another in a long line of thrillers that aren't as smart as they think they are, populated with supposedly ultra-smart characters doing really stupid things.

"Everything is a test." "Nothing is what it seems." Doesn't anyone ever listen? And what sort of feeble recruit cracks under interrogation after a few personal questions about sex? If these are the types of people the CIA enlists, we're all doomed.

I'd hoped for more from the Pacino/Farrell interplay which is cute but uninspired, given their talents. The disappointment continues as Farrell and Moynahan generate about as much spark as a match under a cold shower.

Add that to a boring plotline about a dead father and a pointless car chase and it all adds up to a little more than a DTV potboiler with bigger names.

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10/10

A Bevy Of Twists/Turns

zkonedog11 March 2017

As a fan of the action/thriller genre, I have seen my share of this fare. "The Recruit" occupies a spot near the top of my list due to its fast-moving plot and bevy of twists/turns.

The basic plot of this film focuses on a fresh crop of CIA wannabes. One cadet in particular (Colin Farrell) catches the eye of the lead instructor (Al Pacino), and is given a top-secret assignment far beyond his supposed experience level. From there, the stakes only continue to escalate as the cadet struggles to complete his mission.

The hallmark of this movie is that just when you think you have a bead on it, it throws you another curveball. Some of the other Amazon reviewers have commented that the plot twists seemed predictable or inconsistent, but I couldn't disagree more. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire film and never felt cheated or jerked around.

The acting is also sound all around. Pacino may be kind of a nut, but he sure can act (he almost steals the show in this case). Farrell is adept as the young cadet who wants something more than a 9-5 employment. Bridget Moynahan also turns in a good performance as a potential love interest for Farrell's character.

Thus, I highly recommend "The Recruit" to any and all fans of action/thrillers. The acting is good enough to suck you in, while the hairpin-turn plot twists will keep you guessing until the very end.

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7/10

better than expected CIA thriller

Prof-Hieronymos-Grost19 January 2009

CIA headhunter Walter Burke(Pacino), selects barman James Douglas Clayton(Farrell) to join the program, Clayton is eager as Burke seems to know something of his dead fathers past. Clayton is dropped form the program after failing a test, but Burke later reveals that he has in fact been chosen as the new NOC, an agent that works alone in dangerous situations. Clayton is chosen to investigate another recruit whom Burke believes is a foreign agent, only problem is Clayton has an attraction to this girl. The initial setup of the film is quite good, Pacino and Farrell sparring quite well of each other in some interesting situations, the film does resort to double cross and multi identities towards the end, but those with a liking for such films will no doubt enjoy it all the same. Pacino's now rather clichéd shouting monologue is thankfully saved for the finale.

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3/10

Ludicrous

the_duke_of_hazzard14 September 2003

A benign interpretation of this film is that it is harmless fun with some weak points. The plot is ridiculous, and generates pleasure insofar as one can pick holes in its premise, "twists" and developments. There were so many implausibilities in this film to relate, but I'll stick to one: we are asked to believe it plausible that *elite spies* would believe that someone who graduated "top of his class at MIT", and who clearly has what it takes to earn "200K a year and live a nice life", and who has failed to become a spy would take a *data entry job* at CIA headquarters.

Further, the technical aspects of the film are incredibly implausible: why make a techno-thriller when you can't even bluster a realistic maguffin? We are asked in all seriousness to believe that there is a "computer virus that can go down electrical cables", and that CIA's HQ has "no hard drives".

A more sinister interpretation comes when a bonus on the DVD claims that this film was made with the connivance of the CIA itself. That the film reveals nothing of substance about the CIA's training beyond what you could guess yourself, and shows the CIA to be techno-rich and brain-poor is either realistic and worrying, or, more likely, means that this is probably what they want you to think and that this film doesn't even work on an "insight" level.

In short - stick to Bond; compared to this it appears on *some* levels to be plausible.

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Ambiguous?

UACW21 October 2006

Ironic this movie's made by Spyglass? Or is it? Isn't there ambiguity there as well?

Nothing is what it seems.

Yes the writers could have gone over their screenplay and given it another one-two and that may have raised the caliber another notch, but this is still good entertainment. It won't change your life, but it will be a well spent couple of hours.

And it's true the movie could in theory have had a more sophisticated (ambiguous) ending, but there comes a time, after wading through all the trollop on the market, that one just sinks back and decides to enjoy a better movie for all it's worth.

And this is such a movie: directed by the capable Roger Donaldson who directed the taut thriller No Way Out and co-authored by a writer on The Natural, this one keeps going at a brisk pace with excellent editing and super soundtrack from Klaus Badelt of POTC1 fame. Farrell - who actually comes off smaller than life what with all the tripe written about him, and that's not a bad thing - and former fashion model Moynahan make the sparks fly. You feel for the protagonists and that's an essential ingredient of any good movie.

But Pacino: he's great at whatever he does but is he fated to have secondary roles now? Bah.

There's a bit of a 'Spy Game' feel to things but there's no shameless copying going on. There just aren't many movies in this genre. And Spy Game doesn't have the thrill and suspense this one has. Yes, you might eventually figure everything out before the denouement, but you won't be upset. And odds are you won't figure everything out anyway - some yes; all of it - no.

As for that ending: some people would perhaps prefer more ambiguity. On several planes. Others would say the ending is ambiguous enough. At least on one plane, perhaps several.

Nothing is what it seems.

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7/10

AL PACINO IS STILL AL PACINO

iohefy-213 February 2003

Al Pacino does an outstanding job of acting (as per usual) in this fast paced drama. The rest of the cast is very good, and the movie keeps you on the edge of your seat. The ending was not what I expected, but if you can ignore the ending it is worth while seeing.

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7/10

Big stars, action needs to go bigger

SnoopyStyle3 September 2013

CIA trainer Walter Burke (Al Pacino) recruits James Douglas Clayton (Colin Farrell). While training at The Farm, James falls for fellow recruit Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan).

This movie is divided in 2. The first half takes place at The Farm as they work through the program. It's straight forward with all the well-wore Hollywood cliché about CIA training. It had a couple interesting scenes designed to prepare you for the usual twists of a spy genre. Then James gets kicked out of the program, and Walter recruits him once again, this time as an off-the-books agent to root out a double agent's contact. The style is not big enough. They needed more action. Bigger bang. If you're making an action movie, you'd gotta go big. Considering the caliber of the stars here, the action has gotta match.

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7/10

Excellent Movie

TheEpicPancake31 January 2003

First off, this movie was excellent. I am totally into the CIA and espionage and spying so when i heard about this movie, i was all for it. I don't want to tell what the movie is about but it's very good with lots of twists and plot points. If your into spy thrillers, this is definately the movie to see. I rate it 10 star.

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7/10

Engaging & Well-Acted!

namashi_115 March 2015

'The Recruit' isn't the finest thriller you must've seen in the early 2000's, but its a worthy watch nonetheless. Engaging & well-acted, this box-office hit definitely isn't without merit!

'The Recruit' Synopsis: A brilliant young CIA trainee is asked by his mentor to help find a mole in the Agency.

'The Recruit' has a terrific first-hour, as all the sequences as well as its characters motives, succeed in keeping you engaged & thrilled. The second-hour is slightly problematic, thats mainly because the twists in this hour lack shock-value. The identity of the culprit doesn't come as a shock & that certainly isn't a good thing for a thriller. Nonetheless, the pace is nicely maintained almost throughout.

Roger Towne, Kurt Wimmer & Mitch Glazer's Screenplay is superb in parts, but loose at times. A better finale, would've only enhanced the overall impact. Roger Donaldson's Direction is stylish. Stuart Dryburgh's Cinematography is eye-filling. David Rosenbloom's Editing is fair.

Performance-Wise: Al Pacino owns 'The Recruit'. The Thespian ignites the screen on fire & dominates every frame he's in. Colin Farrell is excellent. He's so good in here! Bridget Moynahan is first-rate, matching up-to Pacino & Farrell at every step.

On the wholes, 'The Recruit' works, despite some flaws. Watch it!

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8/10

When Nothing Is What It Seems

claudio_carvalho10 April 2004

James Clayton (Colin Farrell) is a brilliant hacker and was the first in his class in MIT. Walter Burke (Al Pacino) is a CIA recruiter and trainer and invites James to join CIA in Langton farm, using as motivation the disappearance of his father in 1990 in Peru. While being trained, James has a crush on his colleague Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan) and he becomes closer to her. In a torture training session, James is invited to leave Langton farm. Later, Walter looks for James telling him that he was indeed very well succeeded and he was hired to follow Layla, who is under the suspicion of being a traitor. In the end, nothing is what it seems. A movie having Al Pacino in the cast is a synonym of a good or excellent movie. This one follows the rules. Specially having also the great actor Colin Farrell and the beautiful Bridget Moynahan. Although having many clichés, this film is a great thriller, full of plot points, and in the end, a good entertainment. Fans of this genre will not be disappointed. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): `O Novato' (`The Rooker')

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7/10

Sign Me Up

damianphelps6 February 2023

So a little like Full Metal Jacket you are presented with two acts. Act One, training, Act Two Mission/Quest/Task. Like Full Metal Jacket, one act is better than the other.

Coincidentally like FMJ its the training part of the movie that is the most enjoyable in The Recruit. The training part is compelling viewing, it completely draws you in.

The mission part is entertaining enough but can't complete to the set up.

Both Farrell and Pacino deliver the quality you would expect, especially Farrell who is riding high at this point.

Its a bit of a forgotten film that a larger contemporary audience would appreciate :)

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1/10

Con Script

Critical Eye UK11 April 2004

Warning: Spoilers

Warning: SPOILERS

Pity the poor CIA. As if it wasn't bad enough being slagged off in books and newspapers, even worse is the fate that awaits where movie-makers are concerned. You'd have thought Spy Games' was about as bad as it could get, but lo, here cometh another that's even worse: The Recruit', an over-long over-wrought essay on the theme that nothing is as it seems and no-one is who they say they are and spooks have a frankly awful job to do but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

There's originality then.

As to the plot, well; demented CIA veteran (Al Pacino) approaches half-wit computer nerd (Colin Farrell) on the very day the nerd achieves a software breakthrough that will earn him billions of dollars. The nerd, who hasn't hitherto had the slightest interest in spies or spying, nevertheless abandons his lifetime's ambition and instantly agrees to go to CIA recruitment school, during the course of which it is endlessly pointed out, in tones commensurate with the revelation of hitherto undiscovered universal truths, that nothing is as it seems and no-one is who they say they are and spooks have a frankly awful job to do but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. (Haven't we heard that before somewhere?)

The nerd's training course is exceptionally tedious but relieved by sustained physical violence inflicted with such force that the nerd, if he'd indeed had half a brain, could actually have sued Uncle Sam for almost as much in damages as he would have earned from his software creation. But. . . He doesn't.

Instead, he survives multiple injuries to face, jaw, kidneys and skull by dint of drinking some whisky and then goes off on an assignment from the mad Pacino who wishes him to know, yet again, that nothing is as it seems and no-one is who they say they are and spooks have a frankly awful job to do but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. (I'm sure we've heard that before somewhere).

As to the reason why the nerd is chosen for Pacino's mission, well. . . It's because he is the brightest trainee the CIA has had in thirty years, even though it eventually transpires that he is utterly incapable of telling the difference between a gun loaded with blanks and one stuffed with live ammo.

But he can't. And so there are a couple of chases and a bit of sex and the nerd fires blanks or maybe he doesn't because nothing is as it seems and no-one is who no, no; let's not go there again.

And at the end of it all, in a climax even more exciting than watching mushrooms grow, Pacino wishes us to understand that nothing is as it seems and for God's sake, no more!

And the nerd presumably goes back to knocking the hell out of a punchbag in the gym, this being an activity the scriptwriters repeatedly home in on in order to demonstrate that being a nerd doesn't necessarily mean you can't be macho too. Oh; and he also (presumably) goes back to mooning over the death of his father, who died in a plane crash in 1990 in South America for reasons the nerd cannot understand but which may have something to do with the fact that the plane his father was travelling in, er, crashed.

So. There it is. The Recruit': as plot-less, witless, charm-less and pointless as anything to emerge from the US in recent times. But hey! Moviemakers have a frankly awful job and they gotta do what they gotta do.

Pacino, however, doesn't. And for that there's really no excuse.

Rating: 0 /10.

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8/10

Exactly what you expect and totally entertaining

bhester080626 October 2021

This movie is exactly as advertised. A cool spy drama thriller led by Collin and AL what more could you want. Definitely a good movie worth watching.give it a try.

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6/10

This movie tries too hard

oilsands-9279310 March 2023

So this is a movie about how people get recruited to work as CIA operatives, and go into training with an instructor that puts them into difficult situations to see if they can handle themselves. The problem with this movie was they always tried to do the opposite to confuse everyone, including some impossible MIT program that eavesdrops to make the ending work, then has the corrupt CIA agent give a full confession before he is shot. All of it was unnecessary. A better ending to the movie would have been to have Farrell following the girl who gives the data to Pacino, then Pacino tries to escape and Farrell catches him. Pacino tells Farrell he is the one who killed his father, and because he caught him with inside CIA data, he has to kill him as well. He takes Farrell at gunpoint to an empty room in the train station, where he ties him up and starts to make it a suicide. Then the girl comes back and saves Farrell, who shoots Pacino as he tries to resist.

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2/10

Trite Recap of Every Trope in the CIA/Spook Book.

rudymaynard29 May 2022

This crap has been done to death thousands of times, yet people still pay money to see more iterations of the same tired characterizations and implausible plots. Let's see if we can add anything new. Nope, not this time. Well, at least I got it from the library for free.

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