The Recruit
User Score
6.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28

Review this movie

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Phatman
    Feb 9, 2003
    7
    It's not as good as it looks. Too many close ups on the actor's faces.
  2. DermotW.
    Apr 30, 2003
    3
    If you leave your brain at the popcorn counter you might get an ounce of enjoyment. Dull.
  3. jjgg
    Dec 30, 2003
    0
    Horrible. What a waste of time...
  4. Warren
    Mar 23, 2003
    2
    Silly made for TV movie with Al wearing a goofy looking wig. I wish that this movie wasn't as bad it seemed. If you must see it, rent it.
  5. [Anonymous]
    May 29, 2003
    7
    I thought the plot was well written, but the ending seemed to be missing something and was hard to understand.
  6. MichaelM.
    Oct 23, 2004
    6
    This movie is "Nothing what it seems". I thought this was going to be a crummy CIA movie with the name Al Pacino on it, so people would go see it. One of the clues of this being unrealistic is that Colin Farrel's character is training to be a CIA operative and he has a tatoo! You cannot have a tatoo if you are a CIA operative. And he couldn't have had it burned off either, because it would leave a scar. You can't have any visible scars if you are a CIA operative. People would recognize you! But when I went to see it, I was very surprised in a good way. The movie is actually pretty good. I mean, it is kind of unrealistic, but it is entertaining. I was interested during the whole movie of what was going to happen to Colin Farrel, and who was playing him. Al Pacino did a great acting job, as always, in this role. I don't think he deserves an Academy Award or nomination though. The movie is kind of slow at parts, and very interesting at parts. It is worth the $8 in the theater to see it. But it wouldn't be my first choice of film. If you don't get to go to the movies often, I would wait for DVD and pay the $8 for something like Gangs of New York, Lord of the Rings, The Pianist, Chicago or The Hours. (2/15/03)… Expand
  7. Ryan26B.
    Feb 13, 2003
    8
    I can only say this movie is average. I did enjoy it but the twist in the end was....not really a good enough twist, I could kind of tell what was going to happen. This movie is still worth watching at least once.
  8. InFAMOUSDexter
    Oct 14, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't understand why you people don't like this film. I personally think that it is amazing, and also is you take a look at the other films that are released that year, it make it even better.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
56 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 36 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    60
    Just the latest forgettable thriller that might have been enjoyable if only its conclusion lived up to its windup.
    Read full review
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    50
    A less-than-middling melodrama whose subject matter and talent never click as much as its credits portend.
    Read full review
  3. Dallas Observer
    Reviewed by: Andy Klein
    60
    But by the end the audience, along with Clayton, has been jerked around so many times that it's almost too exhausting...By then, it's almost impossible to care.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »