Movie: The Falcon and The Snowman
Year: 1985
Writers: Robert Lindsay (Book), Steve Zaillian (Screenplay)
Director: John Schlesinger
Starring: Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, David Suchet, Pat Hingle, Lori Singer, Dorian Harewood
Fact-based, the story of two californian boyhood friends Christopher Boyce and Daulton Lee who ultimately end up selling top-secret US document to Soviet Union. The movie has been of great impact the first time i watched about 20 years ago, and somehow i retrieved a better copy and the impact stays there. What's interesting in this somehow trivial espionage genre movie (which admittedly lacks tempo and composure at times)?
1- "The Sleeping Tiger"
The disappointment underlying Christopher's committing this crime. It's definitely not money, or any kind of materialistic motive that derives him (no matter subsequently via this criminal adventure he gained hefty amount of money). He was disappointed by what he felt morally wrong interventions of US government abroad. First you feel fed-up then the trigger is pulled and there starts a vigorous serial of actions.
Look at this part for example:
[explaining why he didn't express his unhappiness with the CIA in a more acceptable manner]Christopher Boyce: It wouldn't have made a difference. I freely chose my response to this absurd world. If given the opportunity, I would have been more vigorous.2-"Oedipus Complex"
Another tip is a sort of Oedipus Complex formed indolently toward his father: a respectable former FBI agents with certain degree of patriotism flowing in his veins. Dad is the symbol of government, the authoritarian statue reminding him he has underachieved and underperformed. On the other hand Mr. Boyce stress his patriotism once again by rejecting any outlaw intervention in his son's persecution but simply telling a friend :"Let him be judged."
3-"Extending a Personal Philosophy"
It doesn't work extending such personal ideas to complex scene of international affairs:
Christopher Boyce: I know a few things about predatory behavior. And what was once a legitimate intelligence gathering agency is now being used to prey on weaker governments.So he seeks personal revenge by entrusting secret codes and documents to the soviets.
4-"The Frail Companion"
Boyce and Daulton depict a sort of silly partnership in any practical terms let alone that be espionage amid cold war turmoil! Jittery heroin addict Daulton is in the business to handle the financial aspect but it turned to a rewarding way to pursue his drug trafficking in a larger scale under russians' political protection.
However russian bloc turn to a "carrot and stick" strategy in order to infiltrate deeper and connect directly to the mole (Boyce). Daulton easily gave away Boyce's name and many other crucial information.
Conclusion:
An intriguing political thriller with some decent performance by Hutton and Penn. (7/10)
Pedram
