The Recruit (2003)
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.
Average Rating: 5.6/10
Critic Reviews: 37
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 20
This polished thriller is engaging until it takes one twist too many into the predictable.
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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 103,456
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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
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Cast
-
Al Pacino
Walter Burke -
Colin Farrell
Jim Clayton -
Bridget Moynahan
Layla Moore -
Gabriel Macht
Zach Dawson -
Karl Pruner
Dennis Slayne -
Eugene Lipinski
Husky Man -
Conrad Bergschneider
Firing Range Instructor -
Tony Craig
Transit Cop -
Ron Lea
Bill Rudolph Dell Rep -
Chris Owens
Art Wallis -
Richard Fitzpatrick
Rob Stevens -
Janet Bailey
Young Instructor -
Arlene Mazerolle
Psychiatrist -
Ray Paisley
Farm Instructor -
John Shafer
Langley Gate Guard -
Brian Rhodes
Psychiatrist -
Domenico Fiore
Instructor 1 -
Elisa Moolecherry
Lisa Sahadi -
Steve Lucescu
Instructor 2 -
Merwin Mondesir
Stan -
Jessica Greco
Brunette at Blue Ridge -
Mark Robert Ellis
Test Instructor -
Jeanie Calleja
Co-Ed 1 -
Neil Crone
Farm Instructor -
Oscar Hsu
Psychiatrist -
Kenneth Mitchell
Alan -
Scott McCord
Young Instructor 2 -
Jenny Levine
Blonde -
Angelo Tsarouchas
Cab Driver -
Mike Realba
Ronnie -
Steve Behal
Exam Procter -
Sheldon Davis
Security Officer 1 -
David Boyce
New Security Guard -
Veronika Hurnik
Polygraph Interrogator -
John Watson
Guard -
Sam Kalilieh
Elliot -
Jane Moffat
Polygraph Technician -
Bart Bedford
Co-Worker -
Tova Smith
Beth -
Michael Rubenfeld
Felix -
Shaun Verreault
Band Member -
Safwan Javed
Band Member -
Earl Pereira
Band Member -
Steven Lee Wright
Running Instructor
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The Recruit Trailer & Photos
All Critics (177) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (97) | DVD (33)
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.
Top CriticThe Recruit weighs in like a porous brick of recycled polypropylene.
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.
A conjurer's trick that delights for about an hour, then spirals into idiocy.
A compelling, if throwaway, drama.
It's nothing but style and noise, threadbare of content, empty of ideas.
Above-average thriller, but not very memorable.
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.
Watchable only for its star power and scarce caffeine kicks...awfully predictable. [Blu-Ray]
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.
The film still makes a diverting entertainment in spite of its obviousness.
Pacino's puppet-stringing of his recruit is reminiscent of Peter O'Toole's manipulative character in 1980's 'The Stunt Man.'
Director Roger Donaldson ... again shows a knack for creating intrigue and paranoia.
Pacino doesn't upstage Farrell, but there's the sense he's daring him to keep up, and Farrell does. Their scenes together crackle.
Interessante até o terceiro ato, quando se perde em 'reviravoltas' completamente previsíveis.
A standard-issue spy game with all the layered complexity of Ludo.
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.
Audience Reviews for The Recruit
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Jim Clayton: Nothing is what it seems.
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