in the line of fire tell the story of the game between an old presidential bodyguard and a former government assassin turn psycho . the secret service agent or bodyguard ( eastwood ) be on defense and the assassin ( malkovich ) be on offense . the stake . the president live . i really like this movie . i have see it numerous time on tv and have recently buy it on dvd . yet and it not an excellent movie . the plot be way too thin and the attempt to thicken it be downright ridiculous . the whole love story isn not very plausible and the way they bring an extra character into the story and just to be able to kill it off be kind of insult to the more or less intelligent viewer . though i feel these mistake can not be forgive and i can easily look past them to mr. malkovich exquisite performance . i have always deem him to be a great actor but in this movie he really on fire . there a reason why he get an academy award nomination . rene russo and clint eastwood be okay and but i do not deem their performance to be memorable . theyre never at the best of their ability . if you do not expect too much and you will certainly like this movie . it no masterpiece but john malkovich be really extraordinary and i do not think anyone can not enjoy his performance . really worth the watch .