The Sentinel Movie Pics & More

"THE SENTINEL is a political thriller about the agents assigned to protect the president and First Lady," says Michael Douglas. "For the first time in its history, there is a mole in the Service plotting to kill the president. I play an agent assigned to protect the First Lady. It's about my redemption. My character is a career officer who's committed an act of indiscretion, and I find that intriguing. I don't know many people who are all good or all evil. So there is moral ambiguity. I'm attracted to characters like Pete Garrison, who is flawed but tries to overcome his flaws in some way. Even Secret Service agents make mistakes.

"THE SENTINEL is unpredictable, topical and has a few twists and turns in it," Douglas continues. "It's fascinating to learn about the Secret Service’s inner workings and some of the technologies used by the Secret Service. I hope audiences will gain a little more understanding of what goes on behind the scenes: the number of death threats, the amount of research the USSS agents do. These are brave souls."

As a producer, Douglas is always looking for interesting and provocative stories. "Finding good material sounds simple but it's not," says Douglas. "I've had my share of message movies but only because they worked as entertainment. I love acting, but the fact is that I don't see that many pictures I'd like to do, so sometimes you have to develop them. I liked the idea behind THE SENTINEL because in an era of fear and paranoia, the notion of an unseen enemy is credible – that’s the film’s big 'what if?'"

Furthur Films secured the rights to the novel The Sentinel by Gerald Petievich, before its publication. "We thought the book’s premise would make a thoughtful, compelling and classic-style political thriller," says producer Marcy Drogin. "Every iconic institution has had its share of scandal, but the U.S. Secret Service is held to a higher standard. That was intriguing to us, to peel away the layers.

 

"Also," Drogin continues, "it provided the quintessential Michael Douglas role as a flawed but sympathetic character."

In order to present certain aspects of the Secret Service as realistically as possible, the film’s screenwriter and co-producer, George Nolfi, undertook extensive research. "From the beginning I wanted the story to be realistic," Nolfi says. "I wondered: How is the president really protected? Where do the threats come from? What would truly put his life in danger, and how would the Secret Service react?"

As Nolfi honed the screenplay, Douglas and Drogin brought in Clark Johnson to direct. Johnson had previously directed a pilot about the Secret Service called "The Service," which pointed to his interest in the topic. Johnson, also a respected actor, has worked in almost every area of the film business, including stunts, special effects, and camera. In addition, he is experienced with law enforcement action thrillers, ensemble pieces, multiple cameras, large set-ups and special effects. For THE SENTINEL, Johnson used this extensive background to depict the reality and grittiness of the Secret Service world.

Johnson worked closely with Douglas and Drogin to cast the picture. Once Douglas was on board, Kiefer Sutherland, Eva Longoria and Kim Basinger followed in the other three key roles. It was not Douglas' first time working with Sutherland; Douglas had produced "Flatliners," one of the movies that catapulted Sutherland into the ranks of exciting new film stars. "That was when I first met Kiefer and saw how talented he was. In THE SENTINEL, he brings tremendous credibility to his role," says Douglas.

Sutherland responds with equal enthusiasm about Douglas. "If you look at Michael’s films, they're Class A. I had the pleasure of working with him when I was very young, and he was so gracious and kind to me. I watched his films over the years and learned what makes him a phenomenal producer. There's a sense of responsibility and dignity in all his films. I've watched his table-read, his notes, how he handles himself on set. It's been an education and a pleasure, and I'm grateful for that."

As the lead investigator in the film, Sutherland's David Breckinridge sometimes lets his personal feelings interfere. "He has a past," acknowledges Sutherland, "and our past often trips us up. Those elements start to break down what could be a perfect investigator.

"We as a society have an appreciation of any specialist in any field, where education and training have been taken to a certain level," Sutherland continues. "I'll never forget the Secret Service agent who moved to the left of President Reagan, closed his eyes and waited. He stayed in that position to take those hits. Would I have the courage or presence of mind to remember my training in that circumstance? That's the first question I asked myself. We have to have an incredible amount of respect for Secret Service agents."

Sutherland also was pleased to collaborate with on-screen partner Eva Longoria. "She has an incredible sense of focus," he says. "The character she plays betrays her personality and that's the mark of a great actor."

Longoria’s Jill Marin was trained at the Academy by Michael Douglas' character, Pete Garrison, and she joins the Sutherland character's office upon graduation. Jill doesn't initially know about the personal conflict between the two men. "[Screenwriter] George Nolfi beautifully weaves together their stories," says Sutherland. "Jill’s history with Garrison reminds David Breckinridge of his connection to Garrison. This makes her question the direction of the investigation. It’s all about loyalties."

Sutherland, like the others, enjoyed having an actor as a director in Clark Johnson. "There is a commonality there," said Sutherland. "That's undeniable. Clark has an innate sensitivity and that's a two-way street. To know what it's like to work in your shoes is a gift."

Eva Longoria chose THE SENTINEL for her first big movie role because it is so different from her hit TV series "Desperate Housewives." "It's a triangle between Michael, Kiefer and me, but it's not a love triangle," says Longoria. "That's why I chose this movie. It's the opposite of Gabrielle [Solis, her TV character]."

Longoria plays the only woman on the team. "She's an eager beaver," says Longoria about agent Jill Marin. "She wants to learn, totally downplays her sexuality, has to prove herself twice as much as a man, and is determined to be the best she can be. She’s new but not complacent; she thinks outside the box. It's not about the clothes, the hair and the make-up, the way it is for ["Desperate Housewives’] Gabrielle. Jill Marin is all about the work."  Although Longoria is slightly built, that was not a liability. "The Secret Service is made up of aggressive, intelligent, fit, ambitious individuals with an air of confidence," she says. "It's not about size. Jill is definitely one of the boys.

"I felt comfortable amid all the testosterone because I'm a tomboy," Longoria adds. "I grew up on a ranch and used to go target-shooting with my dad. I shot my first gun when I was six! I was the best shot." Longoria found it an exciting journey. "I asked the Secret Service advisors a lot of questions. I have newfound respect to these people and what they do for our country."

Martin Donovan, who plays Special Agent in Charge William Montrose, says, "It wasn't until I read the script that I realized how much we take the Secret Service for granted. One of my goals was finding the humanity behind the image they present. They appear implacable, stoic, hyper-vigilant and intimidating, but they have a grace in their physicality. The detail leader of the Presidential Protective Division has to be able to hold his own at cocktail parties with world leaders. And our Secret Service advisors tell me they are inundated with questions at such events."

The filmmakers cast well-known actors, both American and Canadian, in the smaller but pivotal roles. Bringing them to life are David Rasche ("Sledge Hammer") who portrays President John Ballentine, Blair Brown ("The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd") as the National Security Advisor, Gloria Reuben ("E.R.") as Nancy Merriweather, Ritchie Coster ("Traffic" miniseries) as the villainous The Handler, Chuck Shamata (Father Rorick in "Cinderella Man" and founding member of the Actors Repertory Company) as Secret Service Director Overbrook, Taborah Johnson (host of "Polka Dot Door") as the First Lady's Chief of Staff, Raoul Bhaneja (Pete Subramani in "Train 48"), as agent Aziz Hassad, and Kristin Lehman (Dr. Lily Reddicker in "Judging Amy") as the ex-wife of agent David Breckinridge.

Johnson cast himself as Agent Merriweather, who has inside information that he is silenced from sharing and whose murder uncovers the plot to kill the president. You can learn more about the film at the official site.