Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
Pete Garrison (Michael Douglas) makes an emphatic point to fellow U.S. Secret Service Agent David Breckinridge (Kiefer Sutherland), as Agent Jill Marin (Eva Longoria) looks on in a scene form the movie The Sentinel. - CONTRIBUTED
THE SENTINEL is a reasonably intriguing suspense flick that glides easily, propelled by the weight of some of Hollywood's better actors, though it never quite amounts to being an action-packed thriller. Directed by Clark Johnson, The Sentinel is based on Gerald Petievich's novel with a screenplay created by George Nolfi.
The film is the story of a disgraced secret service agent, Pete Garrison, played by Michael Douglas who is accused of treason when it is discovered that there is a plot to kill the president. He is then chased by men who were once his co-workers and friends led by David Brackenbridge (Keifer Sutherland). As lead detective, Brackenbridge has extreme bloodhound sensibilities and his personal feelings about Garrison allows him to pursue the case with extreme prejudice.
FIRST LADY
The film also benefits from the presence of Kim Basinger, who plays the First Lady, Sarah Ballentine, and delivers a decent textured performance. On the other hand, Eva Longoria (as Jill Marin) seems to have been added to the plot to avoid too much testosterone bouncing about, but they really give her nothing much to do.
Much of Johnson's directorial experience has come from directing some of the most dramatic and sensational shows on television with episodes of The Wire, Law and Order and The Shield under his belt. As such, he has had much experience creating intrigue, and to some extent The Sentinel benefits from this.
The film is allowed to proceed at a good trot for most of the plot as Garrison runs about attempting to clear his name. This element of the plot is really quite familiar, and it brings nothing new to the 'It Wasn't Me' genre, and movies like The Fugitive did a much better job of it.
SHORTFALL
Where The Sentinel really falls down, however, is toward the end where the action should catapult forward. It speeds up toward the end but never quite makes it into an all out dash. So, as the mystery ends a little too quickly the story does not have much action to fall back on to increase intensity and adrenaline.
Admittedly, with Michael Douglas having already trotted past 60 years old there is just so much action that one can expect from a movie where he is the main star. Additionally, The Sentinel remains an enjoyable flick because the movie benefits from the performances.
To some degree the editing, though generally good, had some questionable moments. Some shots were allowed to scroll across the screen or multiple shots were shown but with no clear motive as they added nothing to either pace or mood.
The result is that The Sentinel is not the stuff of which adrenaline driven blockbusters are made, but it is interesting enough watch.
