OK; it IS a bit trite, but still an edge-of-the-seater nonetheless. Surprises galore to keep your imagination occupied, though thriller buffs will predict most of them. I found that part of the fun: keeping score of how many "surprises" i anticipated. Still, the denouement packs punch and satisfies. Great performances by most of the cast, esp. Hackman, who always has that knack of being 'perfect' for the part, doesn't he? and Damon, very apt in this early role. The art direction is superb, the location shooting very convincing. If you like thrillers/whoodunits you WILL be entertained. I gave it only a 7 because reading Sartre is probably a better use of two hours....

For reasons not really explained Gayle Hunnicutt decides to go to Europe on her own, leaving husband and son somewhat at sea. But when Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon get a call from the French Consulate that Hunnicutt has gone missing from her tour group.

Hackman is a middle class conservative person who is rather staid and boring. Among those who see him that way is his son. But Dillon gets the shock of his young life when he finds out that Hackman was in the CIA and that he has been living like he was in witness protection program.

And Hackman hasn't slowed up a bit. He still has the moves and the instincts. But the puzzle is that they're seem to be two groups, one who has the wife and one who wants to kill him. A puzzlement.

Hackman, Hunnicutt, and Dillon cast as a good family unit. They are given good support by the rest of the cast. I think you will figure out early on who is the bad guy.

Nice location cinematography in France and Germany. Pace of the film is also good. You will like it.