"Body of Lies" is a certain type of movie designed for a certain type of moviegoer. I think the tagline describes the movie perfectly, actually. "Trust no one. Deceive everyone." And therein lies the biggest asset (and liability) to the production: no matter who the audience identifies with (and subsequently roots for), there is always a lingering question of their inherent "goodness." Since the film has no actual interest in the moral complexities of intelligence gathering in the post-9/11 world, we´re left with Leonardo DiCaprio running around the Middle East for two hours, with Russell Crowe lying in his ear.

Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) heads up intelligence in the Far East for the CIA, taking him to various hot spots all around the region. When a new extremist group starts attacking western cities, Ferris is called in by his boss in Washington, D.C. Ed Hoffman (Crowe) to take the reigns in Jordan. However, when he gets there, Ferris becomes embroiled in a cat and mouse game where the objective is information and the currency is personal integrity.

At some point, the studios will figure out exactly how to treat the current conflict in Iraq in fiction films.

At some point, "Body of Lies" forgets itself. After two different vicious bombings, the film forgets terrorist leaders promised a campaign of terror across Europe and America. Even the finale, where every piece of information the audience needs to put the plot together, runs out of steam. Not so much because of the plot twists and people involved, but because the one person who demanded the truth turns out to be a liar. It´s like Ferris comments throughout the movie: who can he believe?

For all the talent involved-including strong supporting performances from Strong and Farahani, among others-and location shooting around the world, "Body of Lies" tries to be something different and manages to do so, but at what penalty? The movie is overly talky without managing to actually have a message (aside from, perhaps, there are no innocent people in the world or everyone lies). Despite the weight of expectations, it still rates a 6 out of 10. Just be prepared for what you´re getting.