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The Recruit (2003)

tomatometer

43

Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 164
Fresh: 71 | Rotten: 93

This polished thriller is engaging until it takes one twist too many into the predictable.

46

Average Rating: 5.6/10
Critic Reviews: 35
Fresh: 16 | Rotten: 19

This polished thriller is engaging until it takes one twist too many into the predictable.

audience

63

liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 103,456

My Rating

Movie Info

A brilliant young man is tapped to join the elite branch of American intelligence, only to discover how complex and dangerous the job can really be in this suspense-drama. James Clayton (Colin Farrell) recently completed his studies at MIT, where he graduated at the top of his class and is pondering his next move while he works as a bartender at an upscale nightspot. One evening, Clayton is approached by Walter Burke (Al Pacino), a recruiter for the Central Intelligence Agency, who describes

May 27, 2003

$52.7M

Touchstone Pictures

Cast

All Critics (177) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (97) | DVD (32)

Here I suspected the ultimate villain almost from the very beginning -- and, if I wasn't fooled, I can't imagine anyone else will be, either.

February 12, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Observer | Comment
New York Observer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The Recruit weighs in like a porous brick of recycled polypropylene.

February 5, 2003 Full Review Source: Village Voice | Comment
Village Voice
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I liked all those set pieces where they set up these elaborate schemes, and you're not sure who the good guy is, and the bad guy.

February 3, 2003 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | Comment
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A conjurer's trick that delights for about an hour, then spirals into idiocy.

February 1, 2003 Full Review Source: Slate | Comment
Slate
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A compelling, if throwaway, drama.

January 31, 2003 Comment
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It's nothing but style and noise, threadbare of content, empty of ideas.

January 31, 2003 Comment (1)
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Above-average thriller, but not very memorable.

December 29, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

The bright spots are Pacino and Farrell, who make us forget that they're Pacino and Farrell, at least for the span of 115 good but not great minutes.

June 2, 2008 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Watchable only for its star power and scarce caffeine kicks...awfully predictable. [Blu-Ray]

June 1, 2008 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | Comment

Many would believe Pacino could do no wrong but he has. The Recruit serves only to ignite a pilot light in the imagination of espionage lovers everywhere.

August 8, 2006 Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | Comment
Oscar Guy

The film still makes a diverting entertainment in spite of its obviousness.

February 8, 2005 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | Comment
TheMovieReport.com

Pacino's puppet-stringing of his recruit is reminiscent of Peter O'Toole's manipulative character in 1980's 'The Stunt Man.'

October 15, 2004 Full Review | Comment

Director Roger Donaldson ... again shows a knack for creating intrigue and paranoia.

January 6, 2004 Full Review Source: Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) | Comment
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

Pacino doesn't upstage Farrell, but there's the sense he's daring him to keep up, and Farrell does. Their scenes together crackle.

January 4, 2004 Full Review | Comment

Interessante até o terceiro ato, quando se perde em 'reviravoltas' completamente previsíveis.

November 20, 2003 Comment
Cinema em Cena

A standard-issue spy game with all the layered complexity of Ludo.

October 19, 2003 Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | Comment
Daily Telegraph

Chris Owens: You're onscreen for about half a minute of The Recruit, but that half a minute was the most enjoyable experience I had all evening.

October 1, 2003 Full Review Source: ToxicUniverse.com | Comment
ToxicUniverse.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Recruit

The Recruit is a film that showcases an interesting idea, but simply doesn't quite get there. It's a great shame because this film could have been something great, unfortunately it falls flat after 45 minutes in, and the plot seems to stop dead in its tracks. The recruit could have been a good film, but instead it just

February 3, 2012
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

'The Recruit' is a nasty little thriller whose twists and turns keep you guessing until the end, even if its obvious who the real antagonist is. The plot is a bit contrived and the performances aren't spectacular, but the movie delivers cool, swift entertainment. It's not incredibly well-made, but much more enjoyable

July 13, 2011
Kase Vollebregt

Super Reviewer

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