The Assignment Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Navy officer gets method-acted into terrorism by Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley so they can trick the KGB into killing his doppelganger, who is a super sexy terrorist mastermind.

🍿 The Assignment: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mistaken Identity and Recruitment

In 1986, US Naval officer Annibal Ramirez is mistaken for the notorious terrorist Carlos the Jackal during a shore leave in Jerusalem. He’s brutally interrogated by Mossad agent Amos before being released. This incident catches the attention of CIA operative Jack Shaw, who has a personal vendetta against Carlos.

The Assignment: Becoming Carlos

Shaw convinces Ramirez, with some coercion, to participate in a covert CIA-Mossad operation. The plan is for Ramirez to impersonate Carlos, thereby discrediting him with his KGB backers. Ramirez undergoes rigorous training, learning Carlos’s mannerisms, fighting style, and even his intimate techniques. One training exercise involves engaging with one of Carlos’s ex-lovers.

Undercover and Complications

Ramirez, now posing as Carlos, meets with one of Carlos’ former associates in Libya, successfully fooling her. However, the woman is also an informant for the French intelligence. This leads to a deadly confrontation with French agents, forcing Ramirez to kill them to protect his cover. The event deeply affects Ramirez, blurring the lines between his true self and the persona he’s adopted.

Betrayal and Loss

Carlos dispatches an assassin to eliminate his former lover in France, suspecting her of betrayal. Coincidentally, Ramirez encounters the assassin at Heathrow Airport, where the assassin quickly identifies him as an imposter. A struggle ensues, and Amos intervenes, saving Ramirez but sacrificing his own life. The mission is seemingly compromised.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Annibal Ramirez (Aidan Quinn): A US Naval officer and family man who is recruited to impersonate the terrorist Carlos the Jackal, blurring the lines between his true self and the persona he adopts.
• Carlos the Jackal (Aidan Quinn): A notorious and ruthless international terrorist who becomes the target of a covert CIA-Mossad operation.
• Jack Shaw (Henry Fields) (Donald Sutherland): A determined CIA operative obsessed with capturing Carlos the Jackal, willing to manipulate Ramirez to achieve his goal.
• Amos (Ben Kingsley): An experienced Mossad agent who partners with Shaw to train Ramirez and execute the plan to eliminate Carlos.
• Maura Ramirez (Claudia Ferri): The supportive wife of Annibal Ramirez, who grows increasingly disturbed by the changes in his behavior as he embodies Carlos.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Annibal Ramirez: “I nearly killed some little kid’s father today. I don’t know about anything anymore.” – Annibal expresses his moral conflict after being forced to act violently during his training, highlighting the psychological toll of the assignment.
• Jack Shaw: “He was a baseball dad! He deserved it!” – Shaw callous justification of the collateral damage, showing his ruthless single-mindedness about eliminating Carlos.
• Jack Shaw: “Listen, I don’t have a family. I don’t have any friends. The only people I’ve ever really cared about were the people I killed — and you. I CREATED you.” – Shaw reveals his twisted obsession with his mission and his sense of ownership over Ramirez, underscoring his isolation and dedication.
• Annibal Ramirez: “You didn’t create me. You infected me with your poison.” – Annibal accuses Shaw of corrupting him, emphasizing the destructive impact of the mission on his morality and identity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $332,597
• Worldwide Gross: $332,597

💥 The Assignment Reviews

Personal Review

I stumbled upon this movie late one night and was hooked! The concept of turning an ordinary guy into a terrorist is fascinating, and Aidan Quinn really sells it. The training scenes were intense, and seeing his personality change was unsettling. The ending left me thinking about the blurred lines between good and evil, and I loved that. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s one that stuck with me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of espionage thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about identity and moral ambiguity”
  • “Those who appreciate strong performances from character actors like Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland, and Ben Kingsley”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Some sexuality”
  • “Language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A decent thriller with a far-fetched premise and a convoluted plot, but elevated by solid performances from Quinn, Sutherland, and Kingsley. Duguay directs with a steady hand, though the film lacks a certain spark to make it truly memorable.
• RogerEbert.com: “The Assignment delivers suspense, intrigue and twists, aided by solid performances. The movie explores identity and morality, making it more than a simple action flick, though the plot requires some suspension of disbelief.
• Los Angeles Times: “Despite the somewhat unbelievable premise, The Assignment succeeds as a tense thriller. Aidan Quinn shines in his dual role, and the supporting cast brings depth to the story of espionage and moral ambiguity. A worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.

Audience Reactions

Aidan Quinn’s performance is captivating, seamlessly transitioning between the naval officer and the terrorist.: Viewers appreciate the intelligent plot and the suspenseful atmosphere, making it a must-watch for thriller enthusiasts.

The film’s training sequences are praised for their intensity and psychological depth, adding a unique layer to the espionage narrative.: Fans love the non-stop action and the well-executed twists, keeping them engaged until the very end.

Overall Consensus: A gripping thriller with strong performances and an intriguing premise, though some find the plot far-fetched.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is loosely based on the real-life terrorist Carlos the Jackal, though it takes significant creative liberties with his story.”
• “Aidan Quinn plays both the roles of Annibal Ramirez and Carlos the Jackal, requiring significant preparation and transformation.”
• “Filming took place in various international locations to enhance the authenticity of the espionage thriller.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Assignment?

As of today, “The Assignment” (1997) is not widely available on major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. Check rental or purchase options on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, or Amazon. Availability may vary by region. Consider checking your local library for DVD copies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Assignment, you might like these similar films:

• The Day of the Jackal (1973): Classic thriller about hunting down a notorious assassin, sharing themes of pursuit and identity.
• Ronin (1998): Espionage action film with complex characters, political intrigue, and emphasis on realism.
• The Bourne Identity (2002): Action-packed thriller about an agent with amnesia uncovering his past, similar themes of espionage and identity crisis.
• Argo (2012): Fact-based, suspenseful thriller about a daring CIA operation during the Iran hostage crisis, combining historical elements with espionage themes.

🛒 The Assignment Related Products

• The Assignment Movie Poster (1997): A high-quality reprint of the original movie poster, capturing the intense atmosphere of the film. Perfect for fans and collectors.
• Espionage Thriller Movie Collection (DVD): A collection of classic espionage films, including similar movies with themes of international intrigue, double agents, and political conspiracies. Delivers hours of exciting entertainment
• Aidan Quinn Filmography DVD Set: A collection of Aidan Quinn’s most memorable performances. Watch him tackle a variety of great and challenging roles
• CIA & Mossad: The History of Collaboration: A book exploring the real-life collaborations between the CIA and Mossad, revealing the covert operations and strategies employed in international espionage.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Assignment features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – performed by Andy Williams
• “The Assignment – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – performed by Normand Corbeil

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Talk about commitment! This short clip perfectly captures the essence of ‘understanding the assignment,’ it’s a fun, quick watch that’ll make you chuckle.

Andrew Garfield Understood the Assignment😘 #Shorts

Andrew Garfield is just so charming! This video highlights him ‘understanding the assignment,’ and his personality just shines. You gotta see this!

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