Ultimately unfulfilling

Rating: 5/10 (28 December 2006)

There were some parts of this movie that I really enjoyed. The sense of betrayal, the uncertainty of social relationships, and the often unfulfilling nature of life when circumstance makes things difficult for us were three really interesting elements. However this film was just far too flawed to really enjoy.
So many of the scenes were redundant and didn't really serve to establish anything that wasn't already quite clear throughout the entire film. Matt Damon's performance wasn't really believable. I can't recall him actually making a facial expression the entire time. I thought Angelina Jolie did a fine job with the character, especially as the film progressed.
It might actually be a quite enjoyable movie if a good deal of the substance-less scenes were removed, the casting was a bit more considered, and the performances the actors gave toward the end were as solid throughout. The narrative involving Tammy Blanchard was very intense, and quite interesting. It was perhaps the most genuine feeling part of the entire film.
Perhaps it was just that the broader narrative of the story involving the actual CIA dealings was so incredibly vague. It focused very intensely on the intricate relationships constantly in flux, constantly facing uncertainty and betrayal, but they didn't actually seem to be talking about anything at all, in any of the scenes.
I've never walked out on a movie, or fallen asleep during one, but I must admit this is the closest I've ever come.
Overall it's a good effort, worth renting, but too long and unfocused to really garner too much interest.