Agent of Influence

Loosely based on a true story, this film revolves around a man by the name of "John Watkins" (Christopher Plummer) who was a close and trusted friend of the Canadian Prime Minister. As such, he was given a position as the ambassador to the Soviet Union and from all accounts performed quite well. However, when some compromising information became available that implicated him in a possible blackmail scheme by the Soviets for a homosexual affair, he was quickly apprehended by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and interrogated. What follows in this film is a possible narrative of the events during his interrogation which have certain sinister overtones that may-or may not-be credible. Now, rather than reveal any more and risk potentially ruining the film for those who haven't seen it, I will just say that after reading the account of this incident it is quite possible that the events depicted in this movie are somewhat embellished to provide for a better story than would have been obtained otherwise. Regardless, as far as this picture is concerned, there really wasn't that much action or suspense but Christopher Plummer performed adequately enough to maintain my interest for the most part and because of that I have rated this film accordingly. Average.

Overall this is a good film because, and almost only because, Christopher Plummer puts in a good performance when he could have sent them a mail in performance in this made for TV film. The story and writing certainly helps also as it is brow raising along with the Plummer performance. It is kept from being extremely good because the performance by the rest of the cast and the Directing aren't up to par with the writing & the Plummer performance.

This is a lousy film. It has to be the writing along with much of the acting. Seriously, Christopher Plummer is a good actor but even he can't lift this film. The actor who plays the woman agent is unbelievable. She overacts trying to create drama. What a waste of time.

"Agent of Influence" from 2002 is the disturbing true story of the CIA's framing of the Canadian Ambassador to the USSR (Christopher Plummer) by exposing him as a Russian agent. In so doing, they want to force him to implicate the Prime Minister at the time, Pearson. It stars Christopher Plummer, Marina Orsini, Ted Whittall, and Shaun Johnson.

With the exception of Plummer, the acting ranged from good to so-so - Marina Orsini, I think in an attempt to sound American, did her more subtle scenes the best. Plummer as usual was amazing as a man in failing health coming up against the ruination of his career at the hands of the CIA. The incident took place in 1964; the real story was finally revealed in 1980.

The older I get, the more disgusted I get by our government's antics. Sad statement.

In 1964 during the height of the Cold War, the Canadian Ambassador to Moscow, John Watkins (Christopher Plummer) is accused by the CIA and given some heavy interrogation for being a double agent for the KGB and use dirty tactics such as trying to out him as a homosexual.

Some dreadful performances and direction mar this what could have been an interesting film based on the real life events that occurred to Canadian Ambassador John Watkins. Director Michel Poulette clearly does not handle the material well with only Plummer handling his role with any dignity.