In the Line of Fire is an insanely entertaining action/suspense film from 1993, starring (the great) Clint Eastwood as the aging secret service agent Frank Horrigan, cast opposite of him, in the role of the villain, is John Malkovich who delivers what's probably the most inspired performance of his career, as the fiendishly vindictive rogue agent/assassin, Mitch Leary. Also starring is a young and still very beautiful Rene Russo and she quite capably fills the roll of the young-female-secret-service-agent and she's also Clint's squeeze or "love interest" in the film - although it is a highly contentious relationship between the two at first. But, as if you couldn't guess it, Clint's charm and heroism eventually win's her over. Also starring as Eastwoods partner, in what's probably his only notable film role, is Dylan McDermott, who, when in the presence of such an inspired cast and helmed by a director of Wolfgang Peterson's caliber, even he rose to the occasion.This film is masterful by the way it's creates such a potent atmosphere of tension between the two main character's, in which we see Eastwood pitted against Malkovich, in the classic good-guy vs. bad-guy format and the events that transpire, play out in the form of what's an incredibly exciting game of cat-and-mouse; and since it revolves around assassinating the President, the games stakes could not be any higher. I say "game", because that's how Malkovich's character, Mitch Leary, treats it as and he's unfailing sporting of his grand scheme of assassination towards his nemesis Frank Horrigan and agents of the Secret Service; and he constantly keeps them in the loop all the way through to conclusion, which brilliantly leads up to the films climatic ending. But there's more to say before we get there. Just remember that there's apparently an established code of etiquette among psychotic assassin's - one which colors greatly this movies mood.Throughout the movie Leary taunts his pursuers through a series of phone calls, that are always flavored with cryptic threats, which tends to cast a dark pall over the film. Though it goes well beyond that (especially in the second hour of the film), as the tension only intensifies, when it becomes obvious that there's a killer on the loose. Malkovich plays his role with a remarkable level of energy and conviction and his looming presence cast's a very long shadow over his enemies which, impressively, is the Secret Service AND the FBI. Yet it's on the conscious of agent Horrigan, that the threat of Leary weighs most heavily, as the ever-present threat of this shadowy specter remains at large. All this tension effectively builds up into a vast morass of terrible uncertainty which must be vanquished, if the nightmare that is Mitch Leary is ever to end. If that doesn't spell it out for you here's another, the tension that's created is: Positively Palpable.Throughout the second half of the film the ante is upped and Leary is actively on a killing-spree, murdering several people who he perceives as being in the way and/or knowing too much and for Horrigan, one of his victims comes very close to home. Who might it be? All while following the president's re-election bid/campaign trail around the country, which at a series of campaign rallies, leads us up to some of the films best and most exciting moments; once again pitting old, steely-eyed Clint against his nemesis - Mitch Leary, who also happens to be a master of disguise. With Horrigan's obsessive nature towards catching (or killing) Leary, not to mention all the additional safety precautions he ask's for on the Presidents behalf, this invariably (and quickly) causes a lot of internal friction between himself, other members of the Sercret Service, all the way up the ladder to the White House Chief of Staff (played by the late Frederick Dalton Thompson).In lieu of Horrigan's efficient investigating and Leary's devious, but very sporting-like MO, this effectively ensures that the game will always be kept very close and the stakes are always at their highest: Presidential Assassination; this again, creates profoundly intense levels of suspense, which are potently and thrillingly sustained until the very end of the movie. In the Line of Fire is a lot more than just a great action film with "all it's guns blazing"; it's a film that has very few rivals when measured in the terms of it's compellingly gripping levels of suspense and 23 years after it's release, it still, very much remains among Eastwood's best films. A tall order for any movie and the only other movie of Clint's that has anywhere near this level of suspense and nervous tension, is the first Dirty Harry film - but even that falls well short of In the Line of Fire. Which, as time has proved it to be, a true heavy-weight contender in the realm known as: The Suspense Genre.

The teaming up of Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich was the idea of, what can I say, a mad genius! The two along side each other convey a bitter and chilling relationship that keeps you in suspense all throughout the movie. Though I must say Malkovich, as always conveys the most noticeable character and achieves it well as the sick and twisted but clever assassin Mitch Leary, who attempts to ruin the life of the American President's bodyguard - Frank Horrigan (Eastwood). Horrigan is determined to protect the President's life no matter what - even if it means being In The Line of Fire for him, because of his fail at protecting John F. Kennedy's life thirty years before hand. With the odd funny moment and sparks of romance this film is great entertainment for those who like fast, hot action.The movie was very intense and a great cat and mouse game between Eastwood and Malkovich ensues, as the villain taunts our hero Horrigan, of mistakes made in the past. A great supporting cast, Rene Russo, Dylan McDermott, John Mahoney. I really thought the performance by Malkovich richly deserved the best supporting actor for his role as Mitch Leary.. but alas. The script is slightly cheesy with love interests, a last gasp attempt to resolve situations and defying the odds. Though these elements usually ruin pictures, the direction and performances are enough to save the film. The action sequences are well thought out, particularly the roof top chase and the scene in the lift. The fact this film doesn't overdo the action is an added bonus and is kept solid and consistent through Peterson's direction. If you are not a political person then there is no fear as this is none educational, more of an action and dramatic styled refection on past politics. This is a shame however as this could have stepped up the ante of the plot and driven the film on a serious everyday issue but instead was used to build on Frank's personality, his lack of belief in himself, which ultimately leads to a fairly awful and cringing saving ending.Overall rating: 9 out of 10.

Frank Horrigan (Clint Eastwood) is a no non-sense secret service agent who is stilled haunted by his failure at the Kennedy assassination. He has a young eager partner Al D'Andrea (Dylan McDermott). They investigate Joseph McCrawley as a possible threat to the president. Then Frank gets a call from McCrawley (John Malkovich) who is fixated on him. Agent Bill Watts (Gary Cole) in charge of the presidential detail doesn't want to hear it but agent Lilly Raines (Rene Russo) is interested. Frank gets back on the presidential detail with the help of mentor Sam Campagna (John Mahoney).Despite its two hours running time, director Wolfgang Petersen weaves a tightly wound thriller. Clint Eastwood is the perfect choice for the world wearied expert agent. John Malkovich has a creepy menace to him. Also I love the wooden gun. It's not a complicated story but Eastwood keeps our attention throughout.

If you can stand the Hollywood Conceit of Romance with Sloppy kissing and groping between a Geezer and a Thirty-Something Hottie you might give this one a Pass because it is an Above Average Thriller with a Venomous Villain. If you can believe Clint Eastwood as a Jazz Pianist you might give this a Pass because it has much more going for it.There are a number of Suspenseful Set-Pieces and John Malkovich without doubt steals the Film from the One-Note Eastwood who really struggles delivering Lines at times and is unwatchable as He exchanges Loving Stares with Rene Russo. Overall, this is kept from sinking to Cringe inducing Territory by a Multi-Faced Malkovich that is as Creepy as they come. It moves along at a brisk pace and it needs too as it moves quickly from badly Written exchanges and exposition Scenes among Good Ol Boy Ballbusting and a predictable Sub-Plot with a Partner that is never fleshed out and comes across as totally Contrived.A Watchable Film that tries just a little too hard to be Heady, and the best of it outweighs those excruciating Filler bits and delivers an Entertaining, but Puffed-Up Piece of Product.