In The Line Of Fire - 1993

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Castle Rock Entertainment

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

Cast:

• Frank Horrigan – Clint Eastwood
• Mitch Leary – John Malkovich
• Lilly Raines – Rene Russo
• Al D'Andrea – Dylan McDermott
• Bill Watts – Gary Cole
• Harry Sargent – Fred Dalton Thompson
• Sam Campagna – John Mahoney

Story: An aging secret service agent is investigating a reported threat against the President when he stumbles on to a guy who is actually plotting to kill him. “Booth” is a sinister sort who recognizes Frank Horrigan as the last remaining Secret Service agent from the Kennedy era, the man who was standing behind the car when Kennedy was shot. The Secret Service takes all the right steps to capture “Booth”, but he is always just a few steps ahead of them. He plays a cat and mouse game with Frank, calling him, talking about how, even telling him where the assassination will take place. Frank risks everything, including his life several times, to prevent the assassination from happening, but is it enough?

Review: To date, this is the last film Clint has starred in that was not directed by him. But if you're going to work with the best, why not work with Petersen? That logic appears to be sound, as this film is one of the more seamless dramas Eastwood has done. Everything fits, from the opening scenes as an undercover agent to relationship with John Mahoney to the interaction with John Malkovich. The love relationship between him and Rene Russo is neither forced nor overly romantic, but the feeling blends perfectly into the resolution of the film. Fred Dalton Thompson is not stranger to political roles, but might have played this one with a little more panache. Overall, this film is well-written and directed, plays well to the adult audience, and leaves a favorable impression, like going to a good restaurant on a night when the chef has gone all out. You leave satisfied, and plan to come back again. Rated R for violence and language, this film is not for the pre-teens, and while the teens would not be shocked at the violence, they probably won't want to watch a bunch of “old people” for 128 minutes. Their loss is our gain. Collectible for the Eastwood fans, and anyone who enjoys a good suspense film.