Introduction

Whenever we watch one of these movies (similar to the Body of Lies) where the CIA takes on that 'eye-in-the-sky' role while having the ability to stay one step ahead of its enemies, one gets a feeling that it is merely a pretentious display of superiority that the CIA seems to have over other spy organizations due to its advanced technology. Yet in the real world, let's say the middle east, the hub of modern-day terrorism as we know it, technology doesn't necessary provide the good team with the edge that is required to win a war. And that's what really makes the Body of Lies watchable for its realism...

Plot

At the beginning of the Body of Lies, Roger Ferris who is stationed in Iraq, watches a close associate die while scouting out a safe house, in the quest to locate the dreaded ring leader Al-Saleem who seems to have vanished into thin air, by virtue of turning one's cell phone off... yes, it's a simple solution if one wants to get off the grid!

In true fashion, he gets reassigned to take charge of operations in Jordan, where he get rid of the inefficient man-in-charge at the embassy, who is tracking a similar safe house in the vicinity.

Haani Pasha, the leader of Jordan Secret Service, is requested for assistance by Ferris much to the surprise of Haani, who then clearly states: Do not lie.

Ferris also takes a liking to a nurse (Aisha) who tends to his dog bite wounds, during one of his many adventures through the course of the movie, Body of Lies.

To complicate matters, the CIA (his boss, Ed Hoffman) ruin the careful surveillance planning that is agreed upon by Ferris and Pasha, causing a misunderstanding between the two, where the latter requests Ferris to leave the country in 12 hours despite his innocence.

Back home, Ferris hatches a plan to smoke Al Saleem out of his hole by creating a fake terrorist operation and bombings. The plan works... but will the CIA manage to capture the dreaded terrorist or will he get away from them yet again, thanks to his natural ability to stay low-tech and under the radar.

Quote

Don't lie to me

Watch and learn

In closing

I liked this movie for avoiding the dramatic speeches and daring to portray a CIA that doesn't always have the answers (or play heroic roles) but actually an organization that works to the detriment in resolving terrorism in the Middle East.

The movie, Body of Lies, reeked of sentiments that didn't present the CIA in the best possible light, right from the start to finish, with their protocol of treating every asset in the field as a dispensable resource not taken too well by the protagonist.

Yet we all know that in the end, no one is innocent, war has casualties and it is stupid to expect otherwise, in a turbulent world such as ours. For as long as the Koran is misinterpreted and manipulated by Muslim fundamentalist groups... terrorism is here to stay!