The Recruit

2003

The Recruit

Critics Consensus

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

43%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 167

58%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 110,230
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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 himself as "a scary judge of talent" and believes Clayton is just the sort of man the CIA is looking for. Clayton, who has little interest in an ordinary nine-to-five career and suspects his father (whom Burke claims to have known) worked for the Agency, accepts the offer and is soon sent to the CIA's secret training camp. It soon becomes obvious that Burke's intuition has not failed him; Clayton is smart, fast on his feet, a crack shot, and possesses a very agile mind. In training, Clayton notices a few things, most notably one of his fellow students, Layla (Bridget Moynahan), a beautiful woman whose skills equal his own. Clayton becomes quite infatuated with Layla, and after a fashion the attraction appears to be mutual, but Clayton has to keep in mind Burke's dictum that "nothing is as it seems," especially when Clayton is given a special assignment -- find the mole within the Agency's training program who is actually feeding information to America's enemies.

Cast

Al Pacino
as Walter Burke
Colin Farrell
as James Clayton
Bridget Moynahan
as Layla Moore
Gabriel Macht
as Zack
Mike Realba
as Ronnie
Kenneth Mitchell
as Alan
Karl Pruner
as Dennis Slayne
Ron Lea
as Dell Rep
Angelo Tsarouchas
as Cab Driver
Veronica Hurnick
as Polygraph Interrogator
Eugene Lipinski
as Husky Man
Richard Fitzpatrick
as Rob Stevens
Chris Owens
as Art Wallis
Veronika Hurnik
as Polygraph Interrogator
Sam Kalilieh
as Elliot
Dom Fiore
as Instructor No. 1
Jeanie Calleja
as Co-Ed No. 1
Jessica Greco
as Brunette at Blue Ridge
Steve Lucescu
as Instructor No. 2
John Watson
as Guard
Janet Bailey
as Young Instructor
Merwin Mondesir
as Stan
Elisa Moolecherry
as Lisa Sahadi
Sheldon Davis
as Security Officer No. 1
Oscar Hsu
as Psychiatrist No. 1
Arlene Mazerolle
as Psychiatrist No. 2
Brian Rhodes
as Psychiatrist No. 3
Steve Behal
as Exam Proctor
Jane Moffat
as Polygraph Technician
Bart Bedford
as Co-Worker
Tony Craig
as Transit Cop
David Boyce
as New Security Guard
Tova Smith
as Beth
Michael Rubenfeld
as Felix
Mark Robert Ellis
as Test Instructor
Neil Crone
as Farm Instructor No. 3
Ray Paisley
as Farm Instructor No. 4
Scott McCord
as Young Instructor No. 2
Jennifer Levine
as Blonde
Jenny Levine
as Blonde
Shaun Verreault
as Band Member No. 1
Safwan Javed
as Band Member No. 2
Earl Pereira
as Band Member No. 3
Conrad Bergschneider
as Firing Range Instructor
John Shafer
as Langley Gate Guard
Steven Lee Wright
as Running Instructor
Domenico Fiore
as Instructor #1, Instructor 1
Klaus Badelt
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Critic Reviews for The Recruit

All Critics (167) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (71) | Rotten (96)

View All Critic Reviews (167)

Audience Reviews for The Recruit

  • Jun 03, 2013
    The CIA recruiting was kinda neat at first, even if it feels not very plausible, I was entertained but then it relied later on twists and turns that everyone saw coming, leaving room for subpar acting, boring story and not much entertaining sequences towards the end.
    Francisco G Super Reviewer
  • Feb 03, 2012
    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 becomes a mediocre film that ends up being a waste of time. You'd think that a film with a strong lead in Al Pacino would be good, right? Well, this one disappoints and by the end of the film you feel that something is missing to really make this film a must see film. Unfortunately , this film is not interesting, and the plot goes nowhere after 45 minutes. The acting was decent, but overall everything seems out of place after a while. The Recruit is a pointless action film that just doesn't deliver. I thought the film could have been much better than this, and it was a total waste. The Recruit had a good idea for a plot, unfortunately the second act of the film just doesn't deliver, and that's what makes this film mediocre. The Recruit is one of those films that had a good idea, but due to a poor script, simply doesn't cut it, and ends up being a flawed film. If you're looking for a good action spy thriller, then don't watch this film. This film is quite disappointing and ends up being a dud by the time the credits role.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Jan 24, 2012
    It's an interesting movie at first, with a somewhat solid history but in some parts becomes very predictable, it changes and things you do not expect but most are easy to guess. The performances and characters are acceptable, but this movie is only entertaining.
    Rodrigo R Super Reviewer
  • Sep 11, 2011
    Spy thriller film directed by Roger Donaldson, starring Colin Farrell, Al Pacino and Bridget Moynahan.James Clayton (Colin Farrell), a computer programming expert at MIT, is recruited by senior CIA instructor Walter Burke (Al Pacino) to test for a position with the agency.With a "nothing is what it seems" plot, full of turnovers this is a very well made film.Great fun.
    Andre T Super Reviewer
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