In the Line of Fire (1993)

U.S. Marshals meets Death of A President (almost). Perhaps the most extensive and authentic-looking depiction of the President's Secret Service protective detail yet. Clint Eastwood is Clint Eastwood; what more can I say? Better yet, John Malkovich is John Malkovich -- wow. Just his eyes show you how unhinged this psycho assassin is -- and then he starts talking, trying to get into Clint's head. ("Your death too, if you get too close to me.") Clint growls him down every time, fixated obsessively on his sworn duty. ("You've got a date with my fist, you wacko!") Rene Russo is a good costar for Clint, professionally and interpersonally. (She couldn't be as hot as in The Thomas Crowne Affair.) I wish some scenes had not been so contrived (for example, Clint is surrounded by press photographers with his head swimming for 2 minutes) but Clint gives us many semi-iconic scenes and some soul-searching to boot. I own this movie and I approved this review. 4 stars.