Shadow Conspiracy (1997)

In Washington DC, several people are shot dead by muscular Stephen Lang (in a very long coat). After this mysterious opening, we meet presidential special assistant Charlie Sheen (as Robert "Bobby" Bishop). For the most part, this movie shows us numerous stunted situations for Sheen, who has more lives than a cat. He witnesses a murder and escapes one himself. Then, he escapes another, and another and another... in fact, Mr. Sheen may suffer more Perils than Pauline. "Shadow Conspiracy" involves a plot to assassinate the President of the United States, which Sheen tries to stop. They do get to that, eventually. The story plays like they either didn't adhere to the script or revised it as they went along – this results in something which varies from confusing to predictable...For his last film, director George P. Cosmatos gets some nicely photographed moments, with help from the skilled Feitshans family. Serious and jut-jawed, Sheen disappoints by "acting" throughout – he's better when allowing himself into his characters, with humor. Sheen doesn't appeal as a steely-eyed action hero. An illustrious supporting cast features reliable Donald Sutherland (as Jacob Conrad), who is fine but obvious in these surroundings, and investigative reporter Linda Hamilton (as Amanda Givens) appearing confused and superfluous...At one point we're not to worry because there is a "Shadow Government inside the White House." Since this is a Presidential assassination thriller, it wouldn't be far-fetched to assume Republican politician and former Vice President Dick Cheney saw this film. In politics beginning with the Richard M. Nixon Administration, Mr. Cheney revealed a secret "Shadow Government" existed in the US, shortly after the 9/11 "World Trade Center" terrorist attacks. The story seemed to die after a few days and Cheney is no longer asked about his mysterious revelation. Cheney was certain Iraq had "weapons of mass destruction" poised to attack the USA, said the war would be over in weeks and other nonsense – so, he may have swiped his "Shadow Government" idea from this relatively obscure movie.**** Shadow Conspiracy (1/25/97) George P. Cosmatos ~ Charlie Sheen, Donald Sutherland, Linda Hamilton, Stephen Lang

This was the last film directed by George P. Cosmatos, a Greek born in Italy, who directed numerous Hollywood action movies and thrillers over the course of 24 years, including several with Greek settings. This one is set entirely in Washington, D.C., and it is a cracking conspiracy thriller about traitors inside the White House. The hero (who spends most of his time on the run from an assassin hired by the conspirators) is played by Charlie Sheen. Linda Hamilton plays a Washington political journalist with whom he is involved on and off, and they become co-fugitives. The dominant presence in this film, however, is that of Donald Sutherland, who acts circles round everyone else, as a security chief. Theodore Bikel has a bit part as a Russian scholar living in the USA who gets killed at the beginning of the story because he has discovered the traitors. Ben Gazzarra plays a character who stands around tables at the White House looking important and smug, but I did not understand until I looked at the credits on IMDb that he was meant to be the Vice President. The President is played by Sam Waterson, but he too is just a supporting character in the story. Gore Vidal has a fleeting bit part as a Congressman. The film contains an excess of action and not enough story. But it is very tense and 'thrilling' as a thriller should be, so it works within its genre. Charlie Sheen is very convincing as a young Special Assistant to the President who is constantly on the run because he has discovered the traitors who wish to assassinate the President. The assassin who keeps trying to kill him is played by Stephen Lang, who is absolutely terrifying, though why he wears a long white coat down to his ankles, thereby attracting a lot of attention to himself, is a mystery. (Aren't assassins supposed to be inconspicuous?) And how does he stow all of those guns under that flimsy coat? And how does he not get stopped by the police when he is shooting all those innocent bystanders in the streets like that? Oh, well, it's only a movie.

Now, this work doesn't reek, it's enjoyable, and energetic, in spite of its inability to be great. But it tries too hard to reach for that greatness, while still holding on to the life raft. Charlie Sheen never had it in him to be great. He was good, in many performances, in many different roles, but he is not capable of greatness on screen.The same can be said for Donald Sutherland. His son Keifer is far more talented, far more believable in roles as something great. Even when that something embodies a terrible darkness.This work, like its actors, tries to be great in its story, action, and political posturing, but like most who posture, it can lead nowhere, as posturing is not being, it's pretending to be. And that's all this movie could ever hope to achieve.The action is good, the story is good, the performances are good, and the characters are well written, but well written and good is all this has to give.It rates a 5.2/10 from...the Fiend :.

Familiar plot. Familiar reaction. Just maybe, the casting pushes this action/drama through to the end. Bobby Bishop(Charlie Sheen)is a major player in Washington D.C. for he is a special assistant to the President(Sam Waterston). Bobby is given a tip that there is a covert action being put into place to overthrow the government. To find out more details he is to meet Professor Yuri Pochenko(Theodore Bikel)only to watch him be gunned down by a sniper. Bobby's mentor, Jacob Conrad(Donald Sutherland), thinks he is just over reacting. Bishop's former girlfriend Amanda Givens(Linda Hamilton)is known as a sharp investigative reporter and is more than willing to help ferret out this much rumored activity. Bishop finds himself running for his life in a chain of chaos and confusion. A Special Agent(Stephen Lang)is hell-bent on killing him before he can blow the whistle on the attack on the existing government.Ben Gazzara plays Vice President Saxon and Gore Vidal has the role of Congressman Page. Nicholas Turturro is an expert technician in surveillance. The plot does reach a fever pitch and the action is heavy and exciting. The most believable of the cast is Lang, who seems to have unlimited lives. Sutherland's talents are wasted. Sheen may be taxing his abilities. This movie is better than you may think.