So, let us set the stage. Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a CIA agent in the field, speaks fluent Arabic, and can move freely between the numerous hot zones in pursuit of terrorist agents. Back in the United States is Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe), Roger's handler and a man with his own agenda, not afraid to go through other channels to ensure he gets what he wants. Their goal is to locate terrorist leader Al Saleem, a rarely seen man who is extremely dangerous (and taking the place of Osama Bin Laden). It is a difficult task, as the terrorist is constantly vigilant for anyone who may be getting too close.
In order to get closer to their objectives, they turn to Hani Salaam (Mark Strong), leader of Jordanian intelligence. This is where things get dicey, as Ferris finds himself caught between Hoffman, who likes to go through alternate channels to get his way, and Hani who has a single directive — he does not want to be lied to.
There are a lot of different players involved, with many of them employing their own methods, all of them leaving Ferris to pick up the pieces. Of course, the plan that Ferris uses to get to Saleem is one that sort of seems out of character, until you realize that sometimes extreme need necessitates extreme measures. The problem is when the situation gets out of hand, you lose control and bad things happen. Believe me when I tell you that bad things do, in fact, happen here.
One of the things that helps set this apart is that through the dense plot focus is never lost on the characters. These characters, specifically Ferris, may have some superhuman moments, but they are above all else, real people. Ferris goes about his work in methodical fashion, but he still feels real, even finding time for a romance with an Iranian woman named Aisha (Golshifteh Farahani), living in Amman. Now, she may ultimately be a plot point, but the moments they share feel genuine. By the same token, watching Hoffman deal with his family while simultaneously working with Ferris over the phone brings his character into sharper focus.
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