The Falcon and the Snowman
1985
**½
Director: John Schlesinger
Cast: Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Pat Hingle, Joyce Van Patten, David Suchet, Lori Singer, Priscilla Pointer, Richard Dysart, Jerry Hardin, Dorian Harewood
In the 1970s, a disillusioned defense contractor employee and his drug-dealing friend decide to steal and sell classified secrets to the Soviet Union. This fact-based drama starts well, but it becomes monotonous and it goes on way too long. Steven Zaillian's script, which is based on Robert Lindsey's book The Falcon and the Snowman: A True Story of Friendship and Espionage, fails to properly explain the motives behind the men's actions. In the end, both of the guys come out of it looking really stupid. The whiny Snowman, as portrayed by Sean Penn, will definitely test your patience.
