Agent of Influence 2002

     The time setting of this film is 1964 and at the height of the Cold War.  The Americans and the Soviets are on opposing sides.  Other nations, such as Canada are caught somewhere in the middle of the war.  James Watkins is the Canadian Ambassador to the Soviet Union.  He is also a personal friend of the Canadian Prime Minister and Nobel Laureate Lester B. Pearson.  This friendship is the only reason why Watkins took this job.  Otherwise, he would not have been interested in the job.  The CIA believes Watkins has been turned and he is really working for the Soviets.  They have no conclusive evidence but they are working on getting something concrete to prove what they think is true.  The Americans want Canadian action taken to neutralize Watkins.  They don’t care if they have evidence.  Certain sections within Canada are not in agreement with this action.  Inspector David Present, Director of the RCMP’s KGB desk wants to see the evidence before taking any action.

     An agent of influence is a person with some influence and status.  They are using their position to manipulate public opinion or decision making to produce results beneficial to the country they are serving.  It seems like the CIA won’t listen to anything Watkins has to say and they won’t contact anyone in Canada that could clear up their doubt??  Other complications are what about the men and the one woman doing the interrogation??  What side are they really on??  I really didn’t like this movie because of all the lies and deception!!  Plus, I remember Valarie Plame was thrown under the bus by the CIA!!!  She was outed to the public as an undercover agent working for the CIA by Bush administration officials Richard Armitage, Karl Rove and Lewis Libby.  This action wasn’t about Valerie or her job, it was about her husband Joseph Wilson.   1 1/2* (I really did not like this movie)  
           
98 min, Crime directed by Michel Poulette and written by Ken Chubb, Ian and Riley Adams with Christopher Plummer, Marina Orsini, Ted Whittall, Shaun Johnston, Kurtis Sanheim, Alain Goulem, Terry Lawrence, Paul Coeur, Gregory Hlady, Cs Anvar, Norman Edge, Pierre Rivard, Al Holt, Doug MacLeod, John Dunn-Hill.

Note:  Imdb 6.4 out of 10 with 249 views, Amazon 3.4* out of 5* with 25 reviews.
Special Note:  Filmed in Calgary, Alberta; Montreal, Quebec, Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada.