Engrossing drama made all the more interesting because it's a true story. Although difficult to follow at times because of the choppy storyline and the ambiguous motivations of Hutton's character Boyce. (What ever happened to Hutton's career anyway)? I as well was left wanting to know more about Christopher Boyce. Why did he plan to charge 50 grand for his last trade if he was as disinterested in money as he stated to investigators during his interrogation at the end?
I also agree with the viewer who wrote that Penn's character Daulton was so annoying that I too kept hoping the Russians would shoot him. And how is it exactly that in the beginning Daulton declares emphatically to Chris that selling secrets to the Russians was "just plain wrong", and when he gets busted for selling drugs he tells his defense lawyer that snitching was against his principals? Then suddenly selling his own country out seems suddenly like a good idea? The way the writers play around with the main characters motivations makes it impossible to get a grasp on why anyone is doing what they are doing.
Also, Lori Singer's character as Chris's girlfriend seems to have virtually no purpose at all because she ends up in about only 3 scenes.
This film could have gone from being a good movie, to a great movie if they would have added approximately 20 to 30 additional minutes to clear up some of the inconsistencies.
I also agree with the viewer who wrote that Penn's character Daulton was so annoying that I too kept hoping the Russians would shoot him. And how is it exactly that in the beginning Daulton declares emphatically to Chris that selling secrets to the Russians was "just plain wrong", and when he gets busted for selling drugs he tells his defense lawyer that snitching was against his principals? Then suddenly selling his own country out seems suddenly like a good idea? The way the writers play around with the main characters motivations makes it impossible to get a grasp on why anyone is doing what they are doing.
Also, Lori Singer's character as Chris's girlfriend seems to have virtually no purpose at all because she ends up in about only 3 scenes.
This film could have gone from being a good movie, to a great movie if they would have added approximately 20 to 30 additional minutes to clear up some of the inconsistencies.