The Sentinel Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Secret Service agent who’s banging the First Lady gets framed for trying to kill the President, so he has to run around proving he’s innocent while dodging Kiefer Sutherland, who’s basically Jack Bauer in a suit.

🍿 The Sentinel: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: A Mole in the Secret Service

Pete Garrison, a seasoned Secret Service agent with a storied past, finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes conspiracy. An informant reveals a plot to assassinate the President, orchestrated by someone within the Secret Service itself. This revelation throws the entire agency into turmoil, sparking an intense investigation to uncover the mole before it’s too late.

Suspicion Falls on Garrison

As the investigation intensifies, led by Garrison’s former protégé David Breckinridge, the clues begin to point towards Garrison himself. A failed polygraph test, due to his affair with the First Lady, further cements the suspicion. Garrison is forced to go on the run, determined to clear his name and expose the real conspirators, all while evading capture by his former colleagues.

Independent Investigation and Discovery

While on the run, Garrison conducts his own investigation, navigating a web of deceit and danger. He uncovers evidence linking the assassination plot to former KGB operatives and a Colombian cartel. His efforts reveal a deeper conspiracy than initially suspected, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the President and the nation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pete Garrison (Michael Douglas): A veteran Secret Service agent framed in a plot to assassinate the President while having an affair with the First Lady.
• David Breckinridge (Kiefer Sutherland): A Secret Service agent and Garrison’s former protege, tasked with investigating the assassination plot and his former mentor.
• Sarah Ballentine (Kim Basinger): The First Lady of the United States who is having a secret affair with Pete Garrison.
• Jill Marin (Eva Longoria): A Secret Service agent and Breckinridge’s partner, who initially doubts Garrison’s guilt.
• William Montrose (Martin Donovan): The head of the Presidential Protective Division and the mole within the Secret Service involved in the assassination plot.
• The Handler (Ritchie Coster): The leader of the assassins, contracted to kill the President and manipulating Montrose.
• President Ballentine (David Rasche): The President of the United States who becomes the target of an assassination plot.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Pete Garrison: “You want to shoot me? Forget about the Kevlar. Shoot me in my face!” – Garrison taunts Breckinridge, trying to prove he’s not afraid and therefore not a traitor.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $36,280,697
• Worldwide Gross: $78,810,595

💥 The Sentinel Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in the theater and being mildly entertained. Douglas is always watchable, and Sutherland does a decent ’24’ impression. The plot is a bit convoluted, and Eva Longoria feels out of place, but overall it’s a decent thriller if you’re not expecting too much. I especially like the scenes where Douglas is trying to outsmart the Secret Service; it has a cat-and-mouse feel. It’s no ‘In the Line of Fire,’ but it’s worth a watch on a rainy afternoon.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of political thrillers.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy suspenseful action movies.”
  • “Those interested in Secret Service stories.”
  • “Fans of Michael Douglas and Kiefer Sutherland.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and gunfights.”
  • “Brief language.”
  • “Mature themes of infidelity and betrayal.”
  • “Some suspenseful situations.”

Professional Reviews

• HollywoodOutbreak.com: “Michael Douglas says ‘The Sentinel’ is as realistic as the Secret Service gets. The film delivers suspense with gripping performances.
• IMDB User Review: “It is too much like ‘In the Line of Fire’ only not as good. There are several plot lines that go unexplained and few circumstances that are too unbelievable. It was not a convincing film.
• IMDB User Review: “It’s been 19 years since Gordon Gekko used “Wall Street” to let us know that greed is good. Now, Michael Douglas takes the GG persona and morphs it into a Secret Service agent, Pete Garrison. Guess what? It works! This is a solid political thriller that kept me guessing.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers enjoyed the action and suspense, finding it to be a fun political thriller.: The performances of Douglas and Sutherland were generally praised.

Many found the plot predictable and uninspired, with several plot holes.: The movie’s plot was thought of as being a predictable one, with a plot that seems far too familiar.

Overall Consensus: Mixed reviews. Some found it to be an enjoyable political thriller with solid performances, while others criticized its predictable plot and lack of originality.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Eva Longoria’s Secret Service consultant remarked that her score in ‘shooting school’ would beat about 90% of members of the Secret Service. Longoria mentioned that when she was younger she often accompanied her father to the gun range.”
• “Filming took place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, standing in for Washington D.C. and other locations.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Sentinel?

The Sentinel is currently available for streaming on platforms such as Disney+ Hotstar Indonesia. You can also find it for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• In the Line of Fire (1993): Both films involve Secret Service agents protecting the President and dealing with assassination plots.
• The Fugitive (1993): Features a protagonist on the run, falsely accused, trying to clear his name while being pursued by law enforcement.
• Absolute Power (1997): A thriller involving the President and Secret Service, with suspense and conspiracies within the White House.

🛒 The Sentinel Related Products

• Secret Service Lapel Pin: High-quality replica of the Secret Service lapel pin. A must-have for fans and collectors.
• The Sentinel (Novel): The original novel by Gerald Petievich that inspired the film. Experience the story in its original form.
• The Sentinel Movie Poster: High-quality print of The Sentinel movie poster. Perfect to display in your home, office, or movie room!

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “I Got Peace Like a River” – performed by Traditional

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Secret Service Agent Rates 11 POTUS Protection Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Ever wondered how accurate those intense presidential protection scenes in movies really are? This former Secret Service agent breaks down scenes from ‘The Sentinel’ and other films, and her insights are surprisingly eye-opening!

✨ Rate