The Falcon and the Snowman (1985)

Directed by John Schlesinger. Starring Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, David Suchet, Pat Hingle, Richard Dysart, Joyce Van Patten, Priscilla Pointer, Dorian Harewood, Lori Singer, George C. Grant, Mady Kaplan, Jerry Hardin, Boris Lyoskin, Chris Makepeace. [R]

Good spy drama, based on a true story, about two young men (Hutton, Penn) from prosperous families who decide to sell US government secrets to the Soviets and get in over their head. More a character study than intricately-plotted espionage thriller, strong lead performances carry the film; their relationship, and the way it evolves over the course of the story, is the most successful element. Less effective are the fractious parental disagreements and Hutton’s weak romance with Singer in a thankless, undeveloped role. The film also never makes a convincing case for why Hutton would get involved in the scheme—simply not liking that his own country is involved in shady practices is quite the leap to treason. Screenplay by Steven Zaillian (the first of his to be made into a movie), based on the book by Robert Lindsey. Soundtrack includes underappreciated gem “This Is Not America” by David Bowie/Pat Metheny Group. Michael Ironside has a brief role as an FBI agent.

71/100