Film: Body of Lies
David Ignatius’ novel of the same name, hits theatres in the US this Friday, October 10, 2008. Scott is a director well known for his consistent choice of violent themes, so it was only a matter of time before he got around to making a movie about modern-day terrorism.
The basic storyline is simple and not altogether that interesting according to the major film critics: CIA operative Roger Ferris uncovers a lead on a terrorist leader and follows up on it. In listing the films shortcomings, New York Times film critic A.O. Scott referred in passing to the films “genre.” Scott could have easily been referring to any number of genres that would adequately suit the film, such as action, thriller, drama, but it got us at Picore wondering whether he might not have been referring to a whole new genre, the terrorism genre.
Ever since September 11, 2001, Hollywood, like many other business sectors, has become increasingly interested in the issue of terrorism. Whether this is for better or worse has yet to be seen, but one thing is certain, big names and big money are taking advantage of terrorism’s caché.
Before Ridley Scott came Steven Spielberg with Munich and George Clooney with Syriana, and we shouldn’t forget the small screen’s smash hit 24. Each work’s approach to the subject matter is different and there’s no question that each makes its own statement as to the origins and repercussions of terrorism.
While some of these works may be made with the purest intentions of starting a nationwide dialog as to the hows and whys and whens and wheres of terrorism, our more cynical side may make us question whether this serious matter isn’t being handled a little too lightly and a little too liberally.
It’s obvious that terrorism is an extremely complex issue that cannot be properly addressed in a two or even three hour film. So don’t feel strange for wondering whether Hollywood’s trussed up screen version of modern-day conflict isn’t just one more big budget glorification of violence. After all Hollywood is in the business of producing spectacles, but one has to ask, should terrorism be one of them?
-Justine Bayod Espoz, Picore’s Marketing Manager