Body of Lies



Body of Lies is a 2008 American spy film directed by Ridley Scott. Set in the Middle East, it follows the attempts of the CIA and Jordanian Intelligence to catch al-Saleem, a fictional jihadist terrorist. Frustrated by his elusiveness, differences in their approaches show and strain relations between a CIA operative, his superior and the head of Jordanian Intelligence. The CIA orchestrate a staged bombing in Turkey, making it seem to be the work of a previously unknown terrorist, betting that al-Saleem's pride will encourage him to make contact with those responsible.


 * Adaptation Displacement: It's based on a novel of the same name.
 * Badass Boast: Hani: "In matters of intelligence, Edward, you are speaking to the king."
 * Blatant Lies: Ferris tells a man that he is not being let out into the public to see who shoots him, even though that is exactly what the plan is and they both know it. Also a large part of the film, as it is in the title, and Hani clearly states, "Never lie to me!" while expecting the CIA to do exactly that to him.
 * Chekhov's Gunman:
 * Fingore:
 * Defector From Decadence:
 * Defrosting Ice Queen: It takes a bit of work for Ferris to hook up with Aisha, to say the least.
 * Ensemble Darkhorse: For all the focus on the two stars of the movie Mark Strong probably gives the strongest performance in the film as Hani.
 * Gambit Pileup
 * Hospital Hottie: Aisha.
 * Ho Yay: Hani for some reason likes calling Ferris my dear?
 * Kudzu Plot: You spent more than half the movie trying to figure out who's trying to set up who, while trying not to be outwitted by the other parties.
 * Manipulative Bastard: Hoffman.
 * Reverse Mole:
 * Rock Beats Laser: No matter how powerful your drones are, they can't see through a man-made cloud of dust.
 * Sharp-Dressed Man: Hani Salaam looks as if he stepped right off the cover of a GQ magazine.
 * Smug Snake: Hoffman. Should be noted that half the things that don't work in the movie is due to his own arrogance in the first place.
 * Spy Satellites: The drones
 * Terms of Endangerment: Hani Pasha.
 * The War on Terror: The movie starts in Iraq, and the majority of it is focused on hunting a terrorist.
 * Unwitting Pawn:
 * Xanatos Gambit:
 * You Have Outlived Your Usefulness:
 * What the Hell, Hero?: Ferris calls out Hoffman several times on the fact that his interference with Ferris' own intelligence operations continually set them 'both' back. This is aggravated because Hoffman normally runs things the phone while safe and sound, and with his family, whereas Ferris works on the ground in Jordan.