Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 14 (click to see context) from:
* BatmanGambit: An impressive one on Clayton's part.
to:
* BatmanGambit: An impressive Clayton at one on Clayton's part.point leaves his phone battery in trusting that another character, who thinks he's a mole, will call for backup and they can track him.
Added DiffLines:
* ChekhovsGun: The CIA agents are trained to remove their phone batteries so they can't be tracked; at the climax, Clayton intentionally leaves his in so he ''can'' be tracked.
Added DiffLines:
* PursuingParentalPerils: Clayton has long been obsessed with the mysterious plane crash in Peru that killed his father; when Burke tells him that his father was actually a CIA agent, it's the push that Clayton needs to join the CIA.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 24 (click to see context) from:
* LargeHam: [[Spoiler: Burke, after he reveals his true nature, becomes a ''lot'' more theatrical, especially in his final scenes. Of course, he is played by Al Pacino so it's hardly surprising.]]
to:
* LargeHam: [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: Burke, after he reveals his true nature, becomes a ''lot'' more theatrical, especially in his final scenes. Of course, he is played by Al Pacino so it's hardly surprising.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* FallenHero: [[spoiler: Burke was a genuinely devoted CIA agent for years but his perceived disrespect eventually drove him to betray the organization.]]
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* MotiveRant: [[spoiler: Burke actually introduces himself by saying his motivations about the lousy pay, the poor relationships, and the lack of respect for the reasons he turned against them. He just tells this to the recruits.]]
to:
* LargeHam: [[Spoiler: Burke, after he reveals his true nature, becomes a ''lot'' more theatrical, especially in his final scenes. Of course, he is played by Al Pacino so it's hardly surprising.]]
* MotiveRant: [[spoiler: Burke actually introduces himself by saying his motivations about the lousy pay, the poor relationships, and the lack of respect for the reasons he turned against them. He just tells this to therecruits.recruits in the form of a self-depreciating and darkly humorous intro speech.]]
* MotiveRant: [[spoiler: Burke actually introduces himself by saying his motivations about the lousy pay, the poor relationships, and the lack of respect for the reasons he turned against them. He just tells this to the
Changed line(s) 35 (click to see context) from:
** Actually averted, if you pay attention, there aren't any drill sergeants screaming, but rather experts teaching the recruits their new tradecraft. Hell, when they are all woken up in the morning, the voice over the P.A. greets them with a "good morning" before politely telling them to head out. That being said, the things they are learning aren't exactly skills that you get right the first time and if you fail to learn quick, you are dropped.
to:
** Actually averted, if you pay attention, there aren't any drill sergeants screaming, but rather experts teaching the recruits their new tradecraft. Hell, when they are all woken up in the morning, the voice over the P.A. greets them with a "good morning" before politely telling them to head out. That being said, the things they are learning aren't exactly skills that you get right the first time and if you fail to learn quick, you are dropped. Instructors don't need to scream their heads off as they simply ask anyone who isn't up to the task to leave.
Added DiffLines:
* WorthyOpponent: [[spoiler: Burke's last words to James are "you got to give me this: I'm a scary judge of talent", indicating that he respects James for outsmarting him.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 25 (click to see context) :
* ParanoiaFuel: Burke deliberately encourages this with recruits as does the movie.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* MotiveRant: [[spoiler: Burke actually introduces himself by saying his motivations about the lousy pay, the poor relationships, and the lack of respect for the reasons he turned against them. He just tells this to the recruits.]]
Added DiffLines:
* ParanoiaFuel: Burke deliberately encourages this with recruits as does the movie.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 27 (click to see context) from:
* SecretTestOfCharacter:
to:
* SecretTestOfCharacter: Burke subjects Clayton to an absolutely brutal one involving ColdBloodedTorture. [[spoiler: Its not actually anything of the sort but a way to mentally break him.]]
Added DiffLines:
* TricksterMentor: Burke presents himself as one of these and it is never clear whether he's teaching a lesson or manipulating Clayton. [[spoiler: He's doing the latter.]]
* WellDoneSonGuy: Clayton is looking for a father figure and Burke exploits that.
* WellDoneSonGuy: Clayton is looking for a father figure and Burke exploits that.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* ConsummateLiar: Burke is fully capable of lying to people's faces without any tells. He even fools the audience multiple times.
* EvilMentor: [[spoiler: Burke is actually a traitor rather than a TricksterMentor like Clayton thought.]]
* SecretTestOfCharacter:
Changed line(s) 29 (click to see context) from:
%%* TrainingAccident
to:
Changed line(s) 35 (click to see context) from:
to:
* XanatosGambit: [[spoiler: Burke uses CIA agency recruits to spy on the CIA because they're naturally inclined to trust him as he's their teacher. He also plays on their paranoia and need to please him in order to keep them divided.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* AmbiguousEnding: Whether Clayton's father was a CIA agent who died in the line of duty or not.
Changed line(s) 15,16 (click to see context) from:
%%* ColdBloodedTorture
* DisappearedDad: Clayton's motivation
* DisappearedDad: Clayton's motivation
to:
* DisappearedDad: Clayton's
Changed line(s) 21,22 (click to see context) from:
%%* RageAgainstTheMentor
%%* RedHerringMole: [[spoiler: Layla.]]
%%* RedHerringMole: [[spoiler: Layla.]]
to:
%%*
* RedHerringMole: [[spoiler:
Changed line(s) 31,33 (click to see context) from:
** And played straight given that part of the training is a faked abduction where the recruit is physically and psychologically abused and held in solitary confinement until breaking.
* ViewerFriendlyInterface
* ViewerFriendlyInterface
to:
** And played straight given that part of the training is a faked abduction where the recruit is physically and psychologically abused and held in solitary confinement until breaking.
breaking. [[spoiler: Then subverted as this was very likely designed to make Clayton subservient to Burke by making him feel like he failed.]]
*ViewerFriendlyInterface
ViewerFriendlyInterface: Much of the film has the perspective of the audience watching our antiheroes through surveillance equipment.
* VillainsNeverLie: Subverted ''big time'' as Burke lies throughout the movie and it's often contradictory stories. But which is the truth is never revealed.
*
* VillainsNeverLie: Subverted ''big time'' as Burke lies throughout the movie and it's often contradictory stories. But which is the truth is never revealed.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
That's not the What Happened To The Mouse trope (Zack died, we know what happened to him). The apparent lack of consequences would be different tropes
Changed line(s) 32,35 (click to see context) from:
%%* ViewerFriendlyInterface
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: So... [[spoiler: did everyone forget about Zack?]]
** [[spoiler: It is likely that the agency didn't care at that point as they knew that Clayton would be a valuable agent and the death of Zack while tragic wasn't worth worrying about at that point. Clayton was acting in good faith on the word of a rogue superior and it could be seen as a CareerBuildingBlunder for him later on. ]]
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: So... [[spoiler: did everyone forget about Zack?]]
** [[spoiler: It is likely that the agency didn't care at that point as they knew that Clayton would be a valuable agent and the death of Zack while tragic wasn't worth worrying about at that point. Clayton was acting in good faith on the word of a rogue superior and it could be seen as a CareerBuildingBlunder for him later on. ]]
to:
** [[spoiler: It is likely that the agency didn't care at that point as they knew that Clayton would be a valuable agent and the death of Zack while tragic wasn't worth worrying about at that point. Clayton was acting in good faith on the word of a rogue superior and it could be seen as a CareerBuildingBlunder for him later on. ]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 8,9 (click to see context) from:
A 2003 spy thriller starring Creator/ColinFarrell as James Clayton, an MIT computer whiz, and Creator/AlPacino as Walter Burke, a UsefulNotes/{{CIA}} operative who recruits James and becomes his instructor at The Farm, the CIA's field agent training facility. James seemingly washes out of the program after finally cracking during a kidnapping and interrogation "exercise" (which he had, as intended, believed was real) when the interrogators play on his feelings for fellow trainee Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan). After James has left The Farm, however, Burke reveals to him that his washing out was a cover created to allow him to take a low level CIA job and help Burke ferret out a mole within the Agency who is trying to steal the top-secret computer virus program Ice-9... and the mole just might be Layla.
to:
A 2003 spy thriller starring Creator/ColinFarrell as James Clayton, an MIT computer whiz, and Creator/AlPacino as Walter Burke, a UsefulNotes/{{CIA}} operative who recruits James and becomes his instructor at The Farm, the CIA's field agent training facility. James seemingly washes out of the program after finally cracking during a kidnapping and interrogation "exercise" (which he had, as intended, believed was real) when the interrogators play on his feelings for fellow trainee Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan).(Creator/BridgetMoynahan). After James has left The Farm, however, Burke reveals to him that his washing out was a cover created to allow him to take a low level CIA job and help Burke ferret out a mole within the Agency who is trying to steal the top-secret computer virus program Ice-9... and the mole just might be Layla.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TheHandler: [[spoiler:Subverted]]. James Clayton fails his CIA training and is dismissed, but then Burke reveals that it's all a cover for the agency to keep the dirty work that he'll be doing for them off the books, and that Burke has been assigned as his handler and only source of contact. [[spoiler:In truth, Burke is a double agent who is using Clayton as an UnwittingPawn.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 8,9 (click to see context) from:
A 2003 spy thriller starring Creator/ColinFarrell as James Clayton, an MIT computer whiz, and Creator/AlPacino as Walter Burke, a {{CIA}} operative who recruits James and becomes his instructor at The Farm, the CIA's field agent training facility. James seemingly washes out of the program after finally cracking during a kidnapping and interrogation "exercise" (which he had, as intended, believed was real) when the interrogators play on his feelings for fellow trainee Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan). After James has left The Farm, however, Burke reveals to him that his washing out was a cover created to allow him to take a low level CIA job and help Burke ferret out a mole within the Agency who is trying to steal the top-secret computer virus program Ice-9... and the mole just might be Layla.
to:
A 2003 spy thriller starring Creator/ColinFarrell as James Clayton, an MIT computer whiz, and Creator/AlPacino as Walter Burke, a {{CIA}} UsefulNotes/{{CIA}} operative who recruits James and becomes his instructor at The Farm, the CIA's field agent training facility. James seemingly washes out of the program after finally cracking during a kidnapping and interrogation "exercise" (which he had, as intended, believed was real) when the interrogators play on his feelings for fellow trainee Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan). After James has left The Farm, however, Burke reveals to him that his washing out was a cover created to allow him to take a low level CIA job and help Burke ferret out a mole within the Agency who is trying to steal the top-secret computer virus program Ice-9... and the mole just might be Layla.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Changed line(s) 3 (click to see context) from:
%% ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
to:
%% ZeroContextExample Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* ShoutOut: Ice-9, the virus, gets its name from the KurtVonnegut book ''Cat's Cradle.'' Burke even explains the reference in the film.
to:
* ShoutOut: Ice-9, the virus, gets its name from the KurtVonnegut Creator/KurtVonnegut book ''Cat's Cradle.'' ''Literature/CatsCradle''. Burke even explains the reference in the film.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 18 (click to see context) from:
%%* KansasCityShuffle by Burke.
to:
* NotStayingForBreakfast: Subverted. Clayton left to meet Burke, but comes back with groceries under the pretense of cooking her breakfast to cover it up.
Added DiffLines:
* SoftGlass: Averted. [[spoiler: Burke]] smashes his own head through a window to fake an injury from [[spoiler: Clayton]], and has to pull a good-sized hunk of glass out of his forehead afterwards.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* SpySchool: The Farm, where the majority of the film takes place.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Commented out Zero Context Examples.
%%
%%
%% ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
%%
%%
%% ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
%%
Changed line(s) 10 (click to see context) from:
* ColdBloodedTorture
to:
Changed line(s) 13,15 (click to see context) from:
* KansasCityShuffle by Burke.
* RageAgainstTheMentor
* RedHerringMole: [[spoiler: Layla.]]
* RageAgainstTheMentor
* RedHerringMole: [[spoiler: Layla.]]
to:
Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* TrainingAccident
to:
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* ViewerFriendlyInterface
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** And played straight given that part of the training is a faked abduction where the recruit is physically and psychologically abused and held in solitary confinement until breaking.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 24,25 (click to see context) from:
** [[Spoiler: It is likely that the agency didn't care at that point as they knew that Clayton would be a valuable agent and the death of Zack while tragic wasn't worth worrying about at that point. Clayton was acting in good faith on the word of a rogue superior and it could be seen as a CareerBuildingBlunder for him later on. ]]
to:
** [[Spoiler: [[spoiler: It is likely that the agency didn't care at that point as they knew that Clayton would be a valuable agent and the death of Zack while tragic wasn't worth worrying about at that point. Clayton was acting in good faith on the word of a rogue superior and it could be seen as a CareerBuildingBlunder for him later on. ]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 24,25 (click to see context) from:
** Forgot he was killed?
to:
** Forgot he [[Spoiler: It is likely that the agency didn't care at that point as they knew that Clayton would be a valuable agent and the death of Zack while tragic wasn't worth worrying about at that point. Clayton was killed?
acting in good faith on the word of a rogue superior and it could be seen as a CareerBuildingBlunder for him later on. ]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Namespaces
Changed line(s) 3,4 (click to see context) from:
A 2003 spy thriller starring ColinFarrell as James Clayton, an MIT computer whiz, and AlPacino as Walter Burke, a {{CIA}} operative who recruits James and becomes his instructor at The Farm, the CIA's field agent training facility. James seemingly washes out of the program after finally cracking during a kidnapping and interrogation "exercise" (which he had, as intended, believed was real) when the interrogators play on his feelings for fellow trainee Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan). After James has left The Farm, however, Burke reveals to him that his washing out was a cover created to allow him to take a low level CIA job and help Burke ferret out a mole within the Agency who is trying to steal the top-secret computer virus program Ice-9... and the mole just might be Layla.
to:
A 2003 spy thriller starring ColinFarrell Creator/ColinFarrell as James Clayton, an MIT computer whiz, and AlPacino Creator/AlPacino as Walter Burke, a {{CIA}} operative who recruits James and becomes his instructor at The Farm, the CIA's field agent training facility. James seemingly washes out of the program after finally cracking during a kidnapping and interrogation "exercise" (which he had, as intended, believed was real) when the interrogators play on his feelings for fellow trainee Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan). After James has left The Farm, however, Burke reveals to him that his washing out was a cover created to allow him to take a low level CIA job and help Burke ferret out a mole within the Agency who is trying to steal the top-secret computer virus program Ice-9... and the mole just might be Layla.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:250:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/therecruit_161.jpg]]
A 2003 spy thriller starring ColinFarrell as James Clayton, an MIT computer whiz, and AlPacino as Walter Burke, a {{CIA}} operative who recruits James and becomes his instructor at The Farm, the CIA's field agent training facility. James seemingly washes out of the program after finally cracking during a kidnapping and interrogation "exercise" (which he had, as intended, believed was real) when the interrogators play on his feelings for fellow trainee Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan). After James has left The Farm, however, Burke reveals to him that his washing out was a cover created to allow him to take a low level CIA job and help Burke ferret out a mole within the Agency who is trying to steal the top-secret computer virus program Ice-9... and the mole just might be Layla.
-----
!!This film provides examples of:
* BatmanGambit: An impressive one on Clayton's part.
* BlatantLies: [[spoiler: After Clayton shoots Zack, Burke tells him that his gun was filled with blanks. It isn't. His whole scheme falls apart from there.]]
* ColdBloodedTorture
* DisappearedDad: Clayton's motivation
* EngineeredPublicConfession: [[spoiler: In the film's climax, Clayton tricks Burke into mistakenly believing that his boasts about his master plan have been broadcast to CIA headquarters. This causes Burke to start [[YouJustToldMe ranting about how the Agency has mistreated him in front of the CIA SWAT team]] which was there to arrest ''Clayton''... causing them to raise their guns a few inches and target ''him''.]]
* KansasCityShuffle by Burke.
* RageAgainstTheMentor
* RedHerringMole: [[spoiler: Layla.]]
* TheReveal: [[spoiler: Burke is corrupt, and Clayton was unknowingly helping him to steal the Virus from the CIA]]
* ShoutOut: Ice-9, the virus, gets its name from the KurtVonnegut book ''Cat's Cradle.'' Burke even explains the reference in the film.
* SuicideByCop: [[spoiler: Burke at the end.]]
* TrainingAccident
* TrainingFromHell
** Actually averted, if you pay attention, there aren't any drill sergeants screaming, but rather experts teaching the recruits their new tradecraft. Hell, when they are all woken up in the morning, the voice over the P.A. greets them with a "good morning" before politely telling them to head out. That being said, the things they are learning aren't exactly skills that you get right the first time and if you fail to learn quick, you are dropped.
* ViewerFriendlyInterface
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: So... [[spoiler: did everyone forget about Zack?]]
** Forgot he was killed?
-----
A 2003 spy thriller starring ColinFarrell as James Clayton, an MIT computer whiz, and AlPacino as Walter Burke, a {{CIA}} operative who recruits James and becomes his instructor at The Farm, the CIA's field agent training facility. James seemingly washes out of the program after finally cracking during a kidnapping and interrogation "exercise" (which he had, as intended, believed was real) when the interrogators play on his feelings for fellow trainee Layla Moore (Bridget Moynahan). After James has left The Farm, however, Burke reveals to him that his washing out was a cover created to allow him to take a low level CIA job and help Burke ferret out a mole within the Agency who is trying to steal the top-secret computer virus program Ice-9... and the mole just might be Layla.
-----
!!This film provides examples of:
* BatmanGambit: An impressive one on Clayton's part.
* BlatantLies: [[spoiler: After Clayton shoots Zack, Burke tells him that his gun was filled with blanks. It isn't. His whole scheme falls apart from there.]]
* ColdBloodedTorture
* DisappearedDad: Clayton's motivation
* EngineeredPublicConfession: [[spoiler: In the film's climax, Clayton tricks Burke into mistakenly believing that his boasts about his master plan have been broadcast to CIA headquarters. This causes Burke to start [[YouJustToldMe ranting about how the Agency has mistreated him in front of the CIA SWAT team]] which was there to arrest ''Clayton''... causing them to raise their guns a few inches and target ''him''.]]
* KansasCityShuffle by Burke.
* RageAgainstTheMentor
* RedHerringMole: [[spoiler: Layla.]]
* TheReveal: [[spoiler: Burke is corrupt, and Clayton was unknowingly helping him to steal the Virus from the CIA]]
* ShoutOut: Ice-9, the virus, gets its name from the KurtVonnegut book ''Cat's Cradle.'' Burke even explains the reference in the film.
* SuicideByCop: [[spoiler: Burke at the end.]]
* TrainingAccident
* TrainingFromHell
** Actually averted, if you pay attention, there aren't any drill sergeants screaming, but rather experts teaching the recruits their new tradecraft. Hell, when they are all woken up in the morning, the voice over the P.A. greets them with a "good morning" before politely telling them to head out. That being said, the things they are learning aren't exactly skills that you get right the first time and if you fail to learn quick, you are dropped.
* ViewerFriendlyInterface
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: So... [[spoiler: did everyone forget about Zack?]]
** Forgot he was killed?
-----