This is one of the best/overlooked films in the last 10 years. I caught it on HBO about 4 years ago. Finally found the DVD and watch it all the time now. It is intelligent and intense!
shareExcellent movie. I don't know why some wouldn't like it.....
shareGreat and well made film. Almost no one I know have seen it, which is very unfourtunate 'cause this movie is trully worth seeing!!
"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me!!"
It's a damn good movie. The only reason it isn't big time is because it's a Canadian movie and thus didn't have huge hype or a wide box office release.
"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."
Very good movie indeed! The script is definitely more Robert Ludlum than Frederick Forsyth, but thats ok. Aidan Quinn did a good job playing two lead characters and I always enjoy seeing Ben Kingsley on film.
Ozpunk
"I’m sorry, did I not bury you in the backyard? Stay away from the muffins!"
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Wow what a loser way to think..... you missed all the underrated 80's movies......pathetic, first time i hear something that stupid.
Ratings are manipulated by many monkeys.
This movie is awesome and very underrated 9/10
http://www.cinecultist.com/archives/DHscan10.jpg
Great film. I have also started to have a thing about no movies under 7.0 but with this movie i think i might make it a 6.0 from now on. But I think you also have to go on other movie rating websites because some movies are rated higher or lower on some websites than they are on here. I dont think IMDB is the end all, be all when it comes to movie ratings.
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This is one of my favorite Spy Films of all time! I caught this once on HBO back in the 90s. I told my family about it, very few have seen this film unfortunately. I cannot believe this has such a low rating, I personally gave this a 10/10.
Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel
The movie started out as many spy/action thrillers do, but avoided the cliches of the emotionless protagonist with superhuman strength and abilities. "The Assignment" has a grounded realism that makes it compelling.
shareOui
shareI saw it on VHS at the time it came out (boy, am I an old fart or what), and I was an avid and well-read aficionado of the espionage world, real and fictional, in those days. For what it's worth (not much), I have always considered 'The Assignment' one of maybe 4 or 5 movies ever made with a reasonable tint of realism to it, unlike the entire rest of this (nonetheless entertaining) genre.
This is not to say it does not have its share of Hollywoodish espionage tropes (plot- as well as otherwise), and there are scenes I find a touch cringeworthy by today's standards, but there is still something to the tone, style, and rhythm of this film that manages to replicate the best of Forsyth and LeCarre and Quinnell at their peak. At the time it was released, it was sorta heralded as a unique Canadian foray into this type of movies, especially considering its incredibly pedestrian budget (as compared to the money usually spent on its standard Hollywood competitors). In this case, I think the limited budget helped keeping the inclination for outlandish/fantastical spectacle under control. Some of the scenes outright remind me of the (Matt Damon) Bourne films, which also makes it a bit ahead of its time.
Besides, Donald Sutherland is always a treat to watch, and Aidan Quinn is great as the reluctant hero.