The Jordanian intelligence chief is an enigmatic gentleman by the name of Hani (Mark Strong), who handles what’s engulfing the region without having his dinner jacket cuffs soiled. In the heat of the Jordanian desert, he doffs his best suits for interrogation. In contrast, Hoffman is overweight, and underwashed. (Another message?) The role Hani ultimately plays is unclear, to say the least, but he at least knows what he is getting at. Al-Saleem, who stands in for Osama we presume, on the other hand, is shown smoking away into the phone at one time.

One year ago, The Kingdom came out of Hollywood, featuring government agents sent into Riyadh to investigate the bombing of an American facility. Whether tackling the question of terror, culture clash or religion, the fear and uncertainty on the ground, or the American dilemma in the Middle-East, it was a far superior effort.

Body of Lies, on the other hands, is full of half-truths. And that’s worse.

shalini.langer@expressindia.com