In the Line of Fire

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: July 9, 1993

8.4	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 111 Ratings

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User Reviews

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gracjanskiApr 3, 2021

Top thriller with great performances by Eastwood and Malkovich. Especially the character Booth is a perfect bad guy: very intelligent and therefore so dangerous. the psychological games between Eastwood and Malkovich are the best in the movie.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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MglovesfunJan 8, 2020

John Malkovich gives one of the greatest performances I've ever seen, with Eastwood not far behind. An intense, evenly paced, gripping thriller.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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Steven1981Mar 22, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In the Line of Fire is a 1993 drama thriller starring Clint Eastwood, Rene Russo and John Malkovich.... Clint Eastwood plays some secret service dude and Rene Russo plays someone in the service too. John Malkovich gives the cops and secret service people the run around and genuinely has fun in the movie and probably more so than Eastwood if I'm totally honest. John Malkovich is telling Clint Eastwood that he's gonna assassinate the president which is a criminal offence even if you don't mean it and people end up dead even before he attempts to kill the president and on foot and roof chases take place as Eastwood is attempts to catch the villain but fails and also the villain in question (Malkovich) changes disguises regularly and uses false names to confuse everyone except the audience who aren't as gullible. Some romance happens between secret service workers Eastwood and actress Rene Russo and the film has some action scenes. Only downside about In the Line of Fire is not the acting, performances, storyline and overall plot and action but the chemistry between Rene Russo and Clint Eastwood because at times it seems out of place and Clint Eastwood is probably old enough to be Rene Russo's grandad so the idea of love and romance is pretty disturbing but otherwise this is a great movie.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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SpangleAug 11, 2014

Overall, In the Line of Fire does not take too many steps off the typical thriller path, but in spite of that, it does it very well. John Malkovich is fantastic as the bad guy and really gives you the chills. He has the right amount of hurtOverall, In the Line of Fire does not take too many steps off the typical thriller path, but in spite of that, it does it very well. John Malkovich is fantastic as the bad guy and really gives you the chills. He has the right amount of hurt and insanity for the character he played and did it phenomenally. Clint Eastwood, though a little old, is very good as well. The story is intense and Wolfgang Petersen does a great job creating a ton of tension. The pace is brisk and I liked the focus on dialogue, rather than a focus on action shootouts like in many thrillers. I think the love interest element was unnecessary and just tossed in there, as it added really nothing to the film, honestly. As a whole, In the Line of Fire is a good, intense thriller that works from every angle and though formulaic, it is a great example of using a formula very successfully.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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heeldavidMay 6, 2014

This Wolfgang Peterson picture is full of amazing compelling elements, John Malkovich puts on one of his most underrated performances, and Clint Eastwood is at his best as Frank Horrigan.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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r96skJan 23, 2022

I wish it was paced better, but 'In the Line of Fire' still makes for a good time.

Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich is a great line-up and both are entertaining in this, the latter is just terrific at playing a loopy bad guy. There's a fairI wish it was paced better, but 'In the Line of Fire' still makes for a good time.

Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich is a great line-up and both are entertaining in this, the latter is just terrific at playing a loopy bad guy. There's a fair few well known peeps behind them, including John Heard and Gary Cole - it's a fairly strong cast.

The story is an interesting one, though given that you'd expect the film to move along at a better pace but it kinda just walks through its 128 minute run time. It's not a drag or anything, but I definitely wasn't on the edge of my seat unfortunately. It's still a film I'd recommend, though.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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FranzHcriticJun 10, 2021

This movie is endemic of the 1990s with well-made, well-acted, and actually plausible action movies. Perhaps the best aspect of 'In the Line of Fire' is the back-and-forth between Eastwood and Malkovich, who prove that opposites can attractThis movie is endemic of the 1990s with well-made, well-acted, and actually plausible action movies. Perhaps the best aspect of 'In the Line of Fire' is the back-and-forth between Eastwood and Malkovich, who prove that opposites can attract in movie chemistry. The movie is entertaining and it keeps you on edge through the whole two hours.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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eva3si0nJun 3, 2023

In the Line of Fire is a classic crime action movie of the early 90s. He can attract primarily with an acting duo of the main characters. Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich fit perfectly into their roles. Unfortunately, the film itself is notIn the Line of Fire is a classic crime action movie of the early 90s. He can attract primarily with an acting duo of the main characters. Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich fit perfectly into their roles. Unfortunately, the film itself is not a thriller, which would suit him much more than the action genre. If there was a constant suspense here and the viewer had tension when watching, watching more than 2 hours would be more exciting. In the Line of Fire fails by the middle of the film, and only the magnificent ending saves. And if Clint Eastwood played his role in a typical role, John Malkovich gave a real performance. Perhaps one of the best roles in his career.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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CoreGamer1408Mar 4, 2023

They don't make them like they used to as in great films with star actors. Tense cat and mouse game by two competent dangerous and lethal foes. With nice a redemption story arc.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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MaxthorAug 12, 2023

Wolfgang Petersen's direction and orchestration set a strong tone for the film, and John Malkovich's standout performance adds an extra layer of brilliance to this occasionally lackluster thriller.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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