The Recruit

"You are Alice in Wonderland, you've just stepped into the looking glass, and nothing is what it seems." So explains CIA veteran Walter Burke played with a grizzled charisma by Al Pacino who barks out his foreboding mantras to a group of recruits that have been enlisted to learn the deadly games that spies play.

One of his students is James Clayton (Colin Farrell) a computer whiz from MIT whom Burke convinces to put down his mouse and have more fun learning the ropes as a Gov't. operative. (While teasing him a bit by revealing details of Clayton's father who died mysteriously-was he a spy?)

The recruits begin their training at "The Farm" a clandestine facility in rural Canada that resembles a James Bond fantasy camp. Covering the first third of the movie, this is quite an intriguing look into how agents learn the science of anything goes espionage. Farrell ("Minority Report") who sports a nice mixture of steeliness and paranoia as well as a perpetual three-day beard is easy to like and is clearly the recruit Burke is pushing towards the coveted "noc" position upon graduation-an agent who gives up his official identity in return for special assignments with higher risks. As usual, Pacino can turn a melodramatic phrase into a galvanizing battle cry and it's easy to see why his students respond.

Among the recruits is the alluring Layla (Bridget Moynahan) who could pass for a European model except that she speaks several languages and when the exercises demand can outfox even the MIT student. Her and Clayton develop a mutual interest (you were expecting something else?) and while ubiquitous security cameras allow us to watch their restrained passion come to a boil, there is an undercurrent of doubt brewing as to whom is to be trusted.

Though "The Recruit" is short on car chases and bombs bursting, director Roger Donaldson ("No Way Out," "13 Days") keeps the tension crackling with tight close-ups, skilled editing and a screenplay that treats its fine actors with respect.

It's doubtful anyone could be absolutely confident in predicting its conclusion because the story moves along so quickly-and even if you pick the bad guy correctly it still requires an explanation after the credits roll. (Those who wait for the rental and use their "pause" button to allow open discussion will have an edge here).

"The Recruit" is no classic though it certainly outclasses recent movies that cover similar ground ("The Sum of All Fears," "Bad Company"). February is generally not known for the quality of its movies, so a film that showcases veteran talent, credible fresh faces, and a plot that doesn't embarrass itself-well, it's all good.

Mad About Movies grade: "B" Rated PG-13 for violence, sexuality and language. Agree or disagree? E-mail Bruce at Madaboutmovies2@aol.com

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