In the Line of Fire 1993

As United States Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan dives deeper into what appears to be a straightforward investigation, he is met with a chilling truth: a shadowy figure, known only as “Booth,” is intent on assassinating the President of the United States. This elusive killer’s sinister plans come to light through unsettling phone calls to Horrigan, revealing an alarming awareness of the agent’s troubled past. It soon becomes apparent that Booth knows Horrigan intimately, even recalling his history as one of John F. Kennedy’s bodyguards on that fateful day of the assassination. This haunting knowledge serves as a continual reminder of Horrigan’s enduring guilt and inadequacy, transforming him into a cynical, lovelorn, and whiskey-dependent shell of his former self.

Booth intensifies his threats by making calls from public payphones, allowing the Secret Service to track him. His true motives remain cloaked in mystery, yet it is evident that he is playing a dangerous game with Horrigan, exploiting the agent’s weaknesses and pushing him into a tense chase.

As tensions rise, the true identity of Booth begins to surface. A key palm print discovered on a vehicle eventually directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to Mitch Leary, a former CIA operative turned ruthless assassin with a knack for brutality. Following a mental breakdown, Leary is motivated by revenge against his prior employers.

Thanks to his technological savvy, Leary skillfully eludes metal detectors and hides small weapons within innocuous items, making him a formidable adversary. He executes his plan by infiltrating an exclusive fundraising event where the President is set to appear in front of influential donors. Realizing the severity of the situation, Horrigan must face his personal demons and set aside his struggles to avert disaster.

When Horrigan’s reliable partner D’Andrea confides his intention to retire due to haunting nightmares from a near-death experience, Horrigan persuades him to stay on the case. Their investigation leads them to Leary, resulting in an exhilarating chase across the rooftops of Washington. In a heart-stopping moment, D’Andrea is fatally shot by Leary as he tries to apprehend him, leaving Horrigan hanging dangerously off the edge of a building. Amid this suspense, Leary taunts Horrigan by forcing him to make a harrowing choice: saving the President or preserving his own life. Ultimately, Horrigan’s survival instincts take over, allowing Leary to escape while leaving D’Andrea’s lifeless body in the aftermath.

At the high-stakes fundraiser, Horrigan gains crucial information and spots Leary in disguise, deliberately aiming at the President. With lightning-fast reflexes, he jumps in front of the Commander-in-Chief, shouting “gun!” at the top of his lungs. Despite being shot at by Leary, Horrigan’s bullet-proof vest saves him. As the Secret Service rushes to protect the President, Leary seizes Horrigan as a hostage, dragging him into a glass-walled elevator. Unbeknownst to Leary, Horrigan is equipped with a concealed microphone, using it to orchestrate a plan with Raines and marksmen to target their adversary. As Leary falls through a broken window, he finds himself hanging by his fingertips, and Horrigan offers to save him—not out of compassion, but as a part of his duty. Defying odds, Leary chooses death over capture, plunging to his end as Horrigan stands helplessly by.

Following the incident, as Horrigan returns to his Washington residence, he is celebrated as a hero. He announces his retirement and invites Raines on a tour of his apartment, revealing the personal space underlying his public persona. Among the familiar surroundings lies a surprise—an emotional farewell message from Leary on Horrigan’s answering machine. Both characters listen intently as the heartfelt sentiments echo in the room, before they step outside into the evening light.

The narrative culminates against the magnificent backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial, where Horrigan and Raines share a moment of romance, marking a triumphant close to their turbulent journey. The film concludes on this bittersweet note, encapsulating the essence of victory and the dawn of new beginnings for the weary hero and his loyal companion.