The Falcon and the Snowman 1985

In this intense narrative of espionage and betrayal, we follow Christopher Boyce, a disillusioned man who once adored falconry and is the son of a former FBI agent. While working as a civilian defense contractor in the highly guarded “Black Vault” facility, Boyce stumbles upon sensitive classified information that unveils a shocking CIA scheme aimed at removing the Prime Minister of Australia. This revelation ignites a deep dissatisfaction within him regarding the deceit he perceives in the US government. In a desperate bid for truth and agency, Boyce takes the perilous step of leaking these secrets to the Soviets.

Amidst this chaos, Boyce’s childhood friend, Andrew Daulton Lee, affectionately dubbed “The Snowman,” gets ensnared in Boyce’s world of treachery. Lee, battling his own demons of addiction while involved in minor cocaine trafficking, sees an opportunity for financial escape through Boyce’s illicit activities. His aspirations lead him to act as a conduit for Boyce, delivering information to Soviet agents located in Mexico, motivated by a looming dream of escaping to Costa Rica, a country that then lacked an extradition treaty with the United States.

As they delve deeper into the shadowy world of espionage, tensions begin to rise between Boyce and Lee. Lee’s aspirations to build a prominent spy network, layer upon layer complicated by his increasing drug problems, strain their bond. Their handler, Alex, grows wary of Lee due to his erratic behavior. Meanwhile, Boyce yearns to disentangle himself from this treacherous life and embrace a more conventional existence with his girlfriend Lana, hoping to further his education.

Boyce finds himself in a precarious meeting with Lee’s KGB handler, discussing their mutual predicament. Desperation sets in for Lee as he realizes he’s losing favor with the Soviets, leading him to haphazardly toss a note over the fence of the Soviet embassy in Mexico City. This reckless act results in his arrest, as Mexican police, aided by a US Foreign Service officer, swiftly take him into custody.

Upon a thorough search, authorities discover evidence linking Lee to Boyce’s clandestine operations, including rolls of film from Boyce’s Minox camera and a postcard used as a guide by the Soviets. The police present images depicting a crime scene with a deceased man at the location marked on the postcard, detailing that they aim to implicate Lee in the murder of a police officer. Following this alarming revelation, Lee is subjected to harsh interrogation as time slips away.

Ultimately, the truth reveals itself under pressure: Lee is indeed a Soviet spy. With deportation looming, he is confronted with a choice but finds the alternatives disheartening. He suggests Costa Rica, yet quickly realizes his options have drastically narrowed. Out of necessity, Lee grudgingly consents to return to the US, fully aware that his next moves will determine his fate.

As he attempts to navigate the border back into his homeland, Lee is met not with a warm embrace but the heavy hand of law enforcement, resulting in his swift arrest. Simultaneously, Boyce anticipates his imminent downfall and takes a poignant measure to reclaim some autonomy; he releases his devoted falcon, Fawkes, into the wild.

With the authorities closing in, Boyce finds himself encircled by US Marshals and FBI agents, leaving him and Lee with limited options but to confront their fates. In a chilling conclusion, their shared journey crystallizes a profound truth: no matter how skilled one is in evasion, justice is an inescapable force that ultimately prevails.