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Why In The Line Of Fire is an important film

The 1993 thriller that should be on your watchlist, this is why

By Samantha ParrishPublished 4 years ago 5 min read
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First time I put on In the line of Fire, I didn't take it into comprehension or have the interest of how intelligent this film is. I mostly just put it on for my mother to watch, and then disregarded the film. Years later, when I decided to watch it with the interest I didn't have before. To sit down and comprehend most of the dark material or serious political subject matter. It became one of my favorite films. When I did my research for the production on the film, I found a couple reasons why this is a underrated gem among the other movies. I won’t reveal too many of the important plot details to keep the intrigue to tell.

This is a film about a salty secret service agent, Frank Horrigan, still haunted by his failures in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Now his failures come back to haunt him when a disturbed psychopath assassin, who goes by "Booth", continues to call him about his failure of protecting the president and vows, he will kill the current one. Now it becomes a game of cat and mouse to stop this madman.

With the plot of this film centered around the protocol of Secret Service agents, this was the first time Secret Service agents offered their insight to help with the accuracy to how the Secret Service conducts investigations and the protocol involved. It defiantly paid off to have that information to help with the making of this exhilarating powerhouse thriller.

Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo, they are just a few of the names in this film, most of the talent in this action thriller was just rising up in the ranks. It's interesting to see some familiar faces prior to an extended filmography. Dylan McDermontt who plays Al D'Andrea, Frank's partner, this was one of the first beginning roles rising up in the ranks from various tid-bit roles to starring with big names. Tobin Bell, who appears at the beginning of the film, prior to Saw fame, he had a couple of movies he appeared in the 90's but it's still interesting to see his other movies prior to knowing him as Jigsaw. Gary Cole, before Office Space, this was a role I didn't expect him to star in considering I only knew him from drama TV roles where he's usually laid back. To see him act like a pompous ass telling Clint Eastwood what to do. Looking at his filmography, this was also one of his earliest starring roles in a movie. And lastly, the great and missed, John Mahoney, who was having a busy year with the first year in Fraiser, then having a starring movie with Clint Eastwood in the same year. It's interesting to see all of these people in the prime or the start of their prime for performances.

I watched this film primarily for Clint Eastwood, by the end, I was more impressed with John Malkovich. He is a prolific actor, primarily known for his villains or over-the-top performances.Whether it's a convict that ceased control of a plane or playing the iconic Dr.Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. This is the role that stands out about the other various villains. There has never been a villain crafted like Mitch Leary. An assassin that has been used and manipulated to the point his truths are distorted and only knows one thing, that the only way to let this end, is by letting the president die, but to see how the game plays out that he sets up for Frank, choosing a man that has failed in assassination and offers him information to keep up with his malicious plans in game of cat and mouse. Sometimes it's purposely switched that Mitch is the mouse and Frank is the cat. A psychopath is a person with malicious tendencies that knows exactly what they are doing, Mitch knows how the system in the government works, he knows how to scramble the phone calls, or even go so far as to disguise himself to various plans to keep up the facade or manipulate others by becoming someone else with a carefully crafted disguise and personality, further throwing the Secret Service investigation off. A chameleon-like character that changes to his own plans. He's a methodical madman that should have a place among the other acclaimed villains.

Usually, romance would derail the potential for a film, especially in an action thriller like this considering some romantic sub-plots just don't work. And I hate to admit this, but even though it's not needed, it does work. Clint Eastwood isn't primarily known for his romantic roles, but no matter what he looks like or how old he is, he does get the girl. The chemistry between Rene Russo and Clint Eastwood worked well in the film, even if there was an age difference. There's no misogyny , there is an equal respect between the two as a woman taken serious as an agent and a man that is smitten by her, but maintains a respect for her, not undermining her.

It's one of the most intelligent films I've ever seen to be entertaining yet informative. It's underrated with how it's not mentioned in media as much as it should. It's received praise, but it was short lived in 1993. It's a movie that I can watch over and over again but I still end up intrigued by the cat and mouse game between Mitch and Frank, I still laugh at the light comedic moments throughout the film. I always am astonished and impressed by the performance of John Malkovich. It's a game changer of a film for all the cast to have a rise in their career. I feel that movie was that starting point for the continuing success in regular projects for the actors that already made their name, but having the newer actors get their name started from this movie. It's worth the watch to see how intriguing this movie is with a perfect cast, perfect contrast to conflict, the twist on history of a fictional Frank Horrigan and his time with the presidents, and the thrills that leave you on the edge of your seat to wonder how does the cat and mouse chase end.

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Samantha Parrish

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My book Inglorious Ink is now available on Amazon!

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