Watch _DUPE_In the Line of Fire

In the Line of Fire is a 1993 crime thriller directed by Wolfgang Petersen, starring Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich in the lead roles. The plot of the movie revolves around Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan (Eastwood) and his efforts to catch John Booth (Malkovich), a former CIA agent who is attempting to assassinate the President of the United States.

The movie starts with Frank Horrigan, a seasoned Secret Service agent who is haunted by his inability to save President Kennedy from assassination in Dallas in 1963. Decades have passed and now Horrigan is assigned to protect President Alan Richmond (played by Jim Curley) who is running for re-election.

Meanwhile, John Malkovich's character, a former CIA agent turned assassin, has his sights on President Richmond. Malkovich shines in his role as a man who seems to have no emotional connection with anyone. His bizarre behavior acts as a catalyst for Horrigan to re-evaluate his own life and priorities.

As the story progresses, Horrigan realizes that Booth is not a typical assassin. He is extremely intelligent, resourceful and has a plan that involves counterfeiting plates and impersonating a Secret Service agent. Booth starts to engage in a game of cat and mouse with Horrigan. Both men are on opposite sides and the stakes are high on both sides.

The contrast between Eastwood and Malkovich is striking. Eastwood plays Horrigan with a calm, contained determination. On the other hand, Malkovich is nervy, with a psycho edge. The chemistry between them is electrifying, and at times, suffocating as these two alpha males face off against each other.

The cinematography is outstanding as well, with the high-stakes conversation between the two main players set in a variety of locations – from a park bench to a lakeside cabin to a centuries-old fort. The feature makes use of atmosphere, giving the audience an immediate sense of the tension between them.

The movie also has a love interest, played by Rene Russo. As she joins the story line, it adds an interesting layer to the already complex movie. Russo pours forth femininity, intelligence, and real strength as a Secret Service agent who becomes intimately involved with Horrigan.

In addition to the excellent performances, this is a movie about control, trust and the nature of public life especially in politics. At the end of the movie, you will have tangled and untangled these themes multiple times. Horrigan's mission seems to have less to do with seeing Richmond reelected or even saving his life, but rather with regaining his own sense of heroism.

Overall, In the Line of Fire is a brilliant movie that stands the test of time. It is a classic thriller with the suspense and action that one expects from this genre, but with characters that are well developed and expertly portrayed by the stellar cast. The direction, script, and cinematography are all top-notch. It is no wonder that this movie is considered one of the best in its genre.