Agent of Influence

"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.

Based on true incidents that occurred in 1964 but were not exposed until 1980, this film dramatizes the brutal persecution of Canada's ambassador to the Soviet Union at the hands of the CIA. Christopher Plummer is brilliant as the ambassador; his performance was Oscar worthy, but this was a mere made-for-television production that most movie goers, including myself, never saw at the time it was aired. The shame and failure of American foreign policy and the corruption of this countries government officials are realities that too many Americans cannot face and so will continue to support blindly despite the opposition of sane and honest opposition of our neighbor to the north.

Loved this movie. It contains so much history. So much hidden history hidden by USA. Acting by Mr. Plummer excellent. Story should be told. Thumbs up!

Great movie. Just bumped into the movie by the chance. The story is real and eye opening. It's another page of bullying history.