THE ASSIGNMENT Cast: Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland, Ben Kingsley, Claudia Ferri, Celine Bonnier, Vlasta Vrana, Liliana Komorowska Director: Christian Duguay Screenplay: Dan Gordon, Sabi H. Shabtai Running time: 119 minutes Australian distributor: Columbia Tristar Australian theatrical release: May 14, 1998 Reviewed by Luke Buckmaster
On the Buckmaster scale of 0 stars (bomb), to 5 stars (a masterpiece): 4 stars
In this smart and stylish action thriller, the life and meaning of Carlos "The Jackal" Sanchez is given new depth. Of the many gratifying qualities that The Assignment has to offer, none are more dazzling than the film's editing and direction. Christian Duguay (Screamers) shapes its screenplay with appropriate complexity, giving his material more than just charm and intrigue. Clash of cultures, moving emotional elements and investigations of political espionage wrap themselves around B grade action, making an A grade experience.
For twenty years, CIA operative Jack Shaw (Donald Sutherland, who has been in a somewhat disturbing amount of films - eighty or so in the last thirty years) has chased Sanchez, a master terrorist who enjoys killing/maiming innocent civilians. After countless failed attempts to capture the ingenious killer, Shaw and his Israeli counterpart Amos (Ben Kingsley) stumble across an effective weapon against him - a man who has nothing in common with Sanchez except a splitting image. He is Annibal Ramirez (Adrian Quinn), an honorable American naval officer who is ultimately used as bait.
There are two main parts of The Assignment. Part A chronicles an extensive two month training which Ramirez endures, in order to make sure that he thinks and reacts like the man he is impersonating. Shaw and Amos devise a set of physically and mentally challenging tests, including drugging Ramirez with LSD and watching his nightmarish trip. Part B centers on the dangerous environment that Ramirez encounters as he attempts to imitate one of the world's most hunted criminals.
Much to his credit, Adrian Quinn plays both the Jackal and the story's hero with realism and morality. As Ramirez undergoes his training, Quinn transforms his character subtly and brilliantly. The distressing scenarios he encounters reminded me of Michael Douglas' performance in The Game; both actors make their characters paranoia hit viewers hard. In most of his movies, Donald Sutherland is often seen but not noticed. His part in The Assignment is imperative to the story, which is surprising because Sutherland is rarely powerful - but is thoroughly engaging and interesting in this role. Kingsley, as always, is solid.
Fashioned with striking set pieces and gorgeous cinematography, The Assignment is a joy to watch. With a film as smart as this one, we are reassured that good-looking movies are not necessarily dumb ones (for further evidence consult Enemy of the State or Kundun). Solid performances and crisp editing compliment The Assignment's firm direction and beautifully laced screenplay. There are not many films that work on as many levels as this one does, and even fewer that can implement charm alongside terror. Ordinarily this might appear to be a contradiction of terms, but The Assignment has enough substance and energy to pull it off with flair.
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