IN THE LINE OF FIRE (1993, USA, 128m, 15) *****
Action, Crime, Thriller
dist. Columbia Pictures (USA), Columbia TriStar Films (UK); pr co. Columbia Pictures Corporation / Castle Rock Entertainment; d. Wolfgang Petersen; w. Jeff Maguire; pr. Jeff Apple; ph. John Bailey (Technicolor | 2.39:1); m. Ennio Morricone; ed. Anne V. Coates; pd. Lilly Kilvert; ad. John Warnke.
cast: Clint Eastwood (Frank Horrigan), John Malkovich (Mitch Leary), Rene Russo (Lilly Raines), Dylan McDermott (Al D’Andrea), Gary Cole (Bill Watts), Fred Thompson (Harry Sargent), John Mahoney (Sam Campagna), Gregory Alan Williams (Matt Wilder), Jim Curley (President), Sally Hughes (First Lady), Clyde Kusatsu (Jack Okura), Steve Hytner (Tony Carducci), Tobin Bell (Mendoza), Bob Schott (Jimmy Hendrickson), Juan A. Riojas (Raul), Elsa Raven (Booth’s Landlady), Arthur Senzy (Paramedic), Patrika Darbo (Pam Magnus), Mary Van Arsdel (Sally), Ryan Cutrona (LAPD Brass).
A Secret Service agent (Eastwood) is taunted by calls from a would-be killer (Malkovich) who has detailed information about the agent – including the fact that he failed to save President John F. Kennedy from assassination. The caller is revealed as an ex-CIA assassin, and the agent, who is investigating a threat to the current president, is determined not to let history repeat itself. Eastwood, who delivers one of his strongest and deepest performances, is at his absolute best in this crackerjack thriller that is expertly and efficiently directed by Petersen. Malkovich makes for a creepy villain whose verbal sparring with Eastwood adds depth to his psychotic assassin. Russo sparks charmingly with Eastwood as the pair of agents develop a romance. Morricone’s score is evocative and helps to heighten the tension. Ultimately, this is text-book thriller filmmaking of the highest order that perfectly marries script, direction, cast and editing.
AAN: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (John Malkovich); Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Jeff Maguire); Best Film Editing (Anne V. Coates)
