REEL CRITIC

Mary A. Castillo

In “Spy Game,” Robert Redford reminds us why he’s an enduring screen

presence.

As Nathan Muir, a master spy with the CIA, Redford’s about to retire

from the games and spend his life savings on a home in the Bahamas. But

his plans are stalled when rogue agent Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt) -- a CIA

operative whom Muir recruited and trained after Vietnam -- is captured

after a failed attempt to liberate a prisoner from China.

Bishop’s capture threatens to compromise U.S. trade talks with the

Chinese government and an internal CIA committee is gathered for damage

control. They want to give up Bishop but make the mistake of drawing Muir

into the picture. The master manipulator deliberately misleads the

committee members while working behind the scenes to save his protege.

While Muir does everything to shield his back, Bishop shamelessly

wears his conscience on his sleeve and puts his life on the line for the

woman who comes between him and the CIA.

Redford excels in playing the ruthless, detached charmer with a hidden

heart of gold. His performance is reminiscent of his characters from

“Three Days of the Condor” and “All The President’s Men.” In the guises

of these characters, Redford walks into a potentially explosive game

where everyone is trying to hide things from him, yet his instincts, his

mastery of manipulation and his luck turn the situation to his liking.

Pitt is also a strong presence in “Spy Game,” using his pretty-boy looks

to great effect.

The only drawbacks of “Spy Game” are its length and the annoying

visual “alarm clock” metaphor that director Tony Scott insists on

torturing us with. With credits such as “Enemy Of The State” and “Crimson

Tide,” Scott wastes no time on subtlety. He viciously scrubs the

emotional intensity of each scene in our face. In spite of his efforts,

the pace of “Spy Game” noticeably lags toward the middle of the film.

But don’t fall asleep. Pay attention to the detours and the double

crosses in “Spy Game.” It’s the kind of movie that after all is said and

done, you’ll realize Redford still has quite a few tricks up his sleeve.

o7 “Spy Game” is rated R for language, some violence and brief

sexuality.

f7 * MARY A. CASTILLO, 27, is a Costa Mesa resident.