THE SENTINEL
US, 2006, 108 minutes, Colour.
Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria, Martin Donovan, Richie Coster, Kim Basinger, Blair Brown, David Rasche.
Directed by Clark Johnson.
Most audiences like a political thriller now and again. Most audiences should enjoy The Sentinel.
It is based on a novel by a former US Secret Service agent, Gerald Petievich. Lawyers like John Grisham and Scott Turow have taken to using their vast professional experience to write exciting novels which incorporate a great deal of background information about the law and its application. Perhaps Secret Service agents have to retire first or they might be accused of revealing secret methods and techniques.
Screenwriter, George Nolfi, not only adapted the novel but spent a great deal of time on research about the Secret Service, its ethos and activities. Much of it is up there on the screen, a great deal of detail about the day by day work of the agents, especially in guarding the President, as well as the skilled work of the detectives investigating plots against politicians.
Basically, The Sentinel is a thriller about a veteran agent who was wounded during the assassination attempt on President Reagan in 1981. He is played by Michael Douglas with his usual aplomb. The twists of the story reveal him as weaker in character than he might have thought leading him to become the chief suspect of being a mole in the White House in league with a terrorist organisation with plans to kill the President.
Douglas has also fallen out with his former close friend and investigative associate, played by Kiefer Sutherland as a very, very straight arrow who follows all clues no matter where they lead. And they lead to Douglas. Sutherland has a higher profile in Hollywood these days because of his success in the television series, 24 (and his recent Emmy award). His efficient rookie assistant is played by Eva Longoria who has also become prominent from television and her role in Desperate Housewives. (This role is quite different.)
In these years of concern about terrorism and people affected by fear (and even paranoia), it is reassuring to know that there has never been any agent guilty of treason in the history of the Secret Service. We appreciate what security is like as we watch what might seem to be a simple visit by the President (David Rasche) and the First Lady (Kim Basinger) to a local Washington school. Organisation and logistics must be horrendous to manage.
We see the briefings, the continual radio contact between agents letting each other know exactly where their VIPs are and what they are doing. Then there is the fleet of cars, the drivers, the guards (generally in suits and dark glasses) and the constant vigilance. The climax of the film and the assassination attempt are made at a G8 Conference in Toronto.
While this kind of almost documentary background briefing is interesting in itself, it is there for the context of the plot and the investigation. When Michael Douglas’ veteran agent finds himself framed, especially after failing a polygraph test for all agents, he goes on the run in the tradition of the lone American hero. Needless to say, he is generally able to stay one step ahead of his pursuers. Needless to say, he also gets the evidence to prove his innocence.
One of the interesting aspects of watching any film that focuses on the President of the United States, whether it be the long-running series on television, The West Wing, or a Tom Clancy thriller like The Sum of All Fears, is imagining how recent presidents actually cope with this constant barrage of information and need for political savvy and diplomacy.
1. The popularity of this kind of political thriller? Topical? The traditions?
2. The thriller after September 11? America, the war against terrorism, danger for politicians, the need for greater security? The role of the Secret Service?
3. The locations: Washington, DC, the White House and interiors, the offices of the Secret Service, the visit to the school, the Toronto settings, the Maryland countryside? The musical score?
4. The title, the Secret Service, Pete Garrison as a sentinel of the past? Dave Breckinridge as the sentinel for the future?
5. The credits, the terror messages, the quantity of them, the irrationality? On Breckinridge’s wall? His need to investigate them?
6. The prologue, the assassination attempt on Nixon, Pete Garrison being wounded? Faithful service, integrity, the passing of the years, his not having promotion? His status, the quality of his work, finding his level of efficiency? His teaching others?
7. The Secret Service officers, Pete and Tom, Bill Montrose, Pete’s life, alone, the divorce, rising at 4.00am, the exercise, arriving at the office, talking with friends, the chat, the briefings for the day, the camaraderie?
8. The visit to the school, the logistics and management, the cars, the radio contact, waiting, looking at suspicious characters in the crowd? The teachers, the meetings, the kids singing, the multicultural group, the autographs by the president, the speech by the First Lady? Pete’s diplomatic comments on her speech?
9. The president as a person, type, up in the morning, the confidential dossier, the bedroom, separation from his wife, the estrangement, posing for the public, holding hands? Her going to the beach house? Her staff? Asking Peter questions? The sudden impact of the affair, their concealing it, the tension, the photos and the blackmail, her decision not to tell her husband?
10. Pete and his friend, the agent who was shot, the news, going to visit his wife, the conspiracy against the president, the audience seeing the killer? The information, the informant, the money, surveillance by the terrorist group, the alert, the desk and the photos of the affair arriving, the contact in the café, his long weight, being trailed by the FBI, trailing them, the suddenness of his arrest?
11. Dave, straight up and down, his broken marriage, suspicions of Pete? His taking on the rookie, criticising her for being late? His diligence in his work, following up clues, always on the case? His being appointed for the investigation, unlimited staff? His suspicions of Pete and his targeting him? The failed polygraph?
12. Montrose, in charge, serious, the logistics, with the president and in his trust, supervising the polygraphs (and not taking one himself)? Pete and the polygraph, reluctantly agreeing to go, his lies, the failure – grounds for his arrest?
13. Xavier, the informant, his past record, the stakeout, the mall, the photographs, the assassin with the gun, the attempt on Xavier? The chase? Dave and his assistant helping?
14. Dave, coming to the house, arresting Pete? Pete and his quick thinking, the escape, the loner, using his ingenuity, disguise, the cab, going to the office, visiting Xavier’s mother, tricking her about the phone, getting the number and the contact? The car chase? The old boat, his eluding Dave? Dave shooting him? Unable to shoot him finally – the criterion for an officer? Going to the dinner, Sarah and her guests, going to the toilet, the discussion? His finding the apartment, the confrontation, the shooting, the fingerprints on the glass? Everything cleaned up when Dave went to investigate?
15. Dave, the accumulated evidence, believing, going to visit the First Lady, her telling the truth? His not being able to shoot Pete? Going to study the prints, the information?
16. The G8 conference, the president going, Sarah staying behind? Her telling Dave the truth? Toronto, its landscapes, the hall, the meetings, the delegates, the speeches? Discovering Bill Montrose and the head of the gang, the gang itself, its background from the independent Russian republic? The issues? The gang, the phone calls, the blackmailing photos? The blackmail as regards Bill’s family, his past with the KGB? The plan to kill the president, the speech, the liberal views, his being hurried out, Sarah knowing the password, getting them through? The escape, the shooters, the criminals disguised as police, the leader taking Sarah hostage, Pete shooting him?
17. Pete packing up, Dave and his wife reconciled, the rookie not a rookie any longer, Pete and his friendship, leaving the Secret Service?
18. The film with its Secret Service background, insights as to security and guarding, investigations?
