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The Recruit

Play trailer Poster for The Recruit PG-13 Released Jan 31, 2003 1h 55m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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44% Tomatometer 165 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In an era when the country's first line of defense - human intelligence - is more important than ever, comes an explosive thriller that gives an insider's view into the CIA's secret training ground: The Farm. James Clayton (Colin Farrell) might not have the attitude of a typical recruit, but he is one of the smartest graduating seniors in the country -- and he's just the person that Walter Burke (Al Pacino) wants in the Agency.
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The Recruit

The Recruit

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Critics Consensus

This polished thriller is engaging until it takes one twist too many into the predictable.

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Critics Reviews

View All (165) Critics Reviews
Barbara Ellen Times (UK) I rather enjoyed The Recruit and I'm guessing you will, too. The script is well-paced and witty, Pacino is as watchable as ever. Jan 2, 2018 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Above-average thriller, but not very memorable. Rated: 3/5 Dec 29, 2010 Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) A standard-issue spy game with all the layered complexity of Ludo. Oct 19, 2003 Full Review Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed I'm still hoping Pacino will dazzle with a great performance eventually... Apr 29, 2009 Full Review Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review Rated: 3/5 Aug 7, 2008 Full Review Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews Watchable only for its star power and scarce caffeine kicks...awfully predictable. [Blu-Ray] Rated: 2/4 Jun 1, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Anthony C Love Al Pacino! Great movie! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/23/24 Full Review Walt S Engaging at first, but fell apart for me by the end. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/24 Full Review Rhansley S Bom filme de espionagem/recrutamento pra se divertir. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/12/23 Full Review JOhn K I had no idea Colin was such a midget wow!!! And bridgette had bad nose job holy shnozberry is she frmo rich family? Why did brady bother? Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Elizabeth K I loved this show. It is fast paced and fun. Plot twists are twisty, just the way I like them. I can't wait for season two. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Phillip A It was good, the story was really fun and compelling. Noah Centineo was great. I just feel like it ended in the middle of the season or it needed at least one more episode. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/18/22 Full Review Read all reviews
The Recruit

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Movie Info

Synopsis In an era when the country's first line of defense - human intelligence - is more important than ever, comes an explosive thriller that gives an insider's view into the CIA's secret training ground: The Farm. James Clayton (Colin Farrell) might not have the attitude of a typical recruit, but he is one of the smartest graduating seniors in the country -- and he's just the person that Walter Burke (Al Pacino) wants in the Agency.
Director
Roger Donaldson
Producer
Roger Birnbaum, Jeff Apple, Gary Barber
Screenwriter
Roger Towne, Kurt Wimmer, Mitch Glazer
Distributor
Touchstone Pictures
Production Co
Spyglass Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Sexuality|Language|Violence)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 31, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$52.8M
Runtime
1h 55m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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