The Little Drummer Girl (1984)

A young pro-Palestinian actress/activist (Diane Keaton) with psychological baggage is kidnapped by the Israelis and broken down until she becomes a double agent. Working for the Israelis, she infiltrates a terrorist organization but the psychological and emotional conflicts begin to take their toll. Based on the acclaimed novel by John Le Carre and directed by George Roy Hill (THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE). The movie is so contrived in its conception and execution that one must take an enormous leap of faith in order for the film to work. I've not read the Le Carre novel but it was well reviewed so I assume Le Carre was able to make the circumstances more believable. As a film, it just doesn't make any logical sense. In the title role (reputedly based on Vanessa Redgrave), Diane Keaton gives a bravura performance. I took that big leap of faith so as a political thriller as well as an elemental portrait of a blank slate (Keaton) being used by exterior forces, it worked just fine for me. With Yorgo Voyagis, Klaus Kinski, Sami Frey, Anna Massey, David Suchet and Bill Nighy.