Robert Clayton Dean be a D.C. lawyer who be about to get some kind of twisted Christmas present from a old friend of college : a tape , which reveal a political assassination . Dean do not know he have it , but the people ivolve in the murder do know . and they be prepare for anything in order to get back that type , even if that mean destroy Dean 's life . but Dean be not willing to let that happen , even if he do not know why they want to destroy they .  what we get here be a intelligent film direct by Tony Scott and for my taste , the best of he career . but that be just my opinion . I be a little skeptical at first , because I do not think Will Smith could deliver a dramatic performance , but he surprise I , and I be sure I be not the only one . of course , Gene Hackman , Jason Lee , Jon Voight , Barry Pepper , Jack Black , Seth Green , Jamie Kennedy , Scott Caan , Tom Sizemore and Gabriel Byrne have they good thing , too . it be a awesome cast in my opinion and they all do they job better than one would expect . I can only complaint about the little screen time Gabriel Byrne have , but it be really ok . and Tom Sizemore , wow , he be great in this one as a italian mobster and who , in my opinion , have the greatest line in the film .  note that I only give this film 4 star , but that be because of the dvd edition . it be so lame when it could have be so great . the film get 5 star , not the dvd .  maybe the technology show in the movie be a little overwhelming and for those who be not into the state of the art electronic device , this film may seem too far-fetched . the music be superb and the main theme be really a beautiful music piece that really grab the essence of this movie , which be , in my opinion , the end of privacy . how you action , even in the privacy of you bedroom , you computer , phone call , e-mail ... everything , can be tap just to ensure national security . of course , it be a step beyond , but definately , very plausible .  what be more important to you ? privacy or safety ? and if it be indeed safety , how do we know that the people monitor we be not use that power for selfish purpose , like depict in this film . be we willing to give up we privacy just to feel safe ? and how safe would you feel know that someone be watch you or listen to everyword that come out of you mouth ? `` only privacy that be leave be inside you head and maybe that be enough '' one of the character say . and after September 11 , after many of we lose that sense of security , I be quite sure that this would be a interesting debate . to paraphrase another of the character , `` when building start blow up , people priority tend to change '' . he be get a point there . but who be there to tell which person be trustworthy enough for I to trust he my privacy , my life ?  as Larry King say in the last line of the film : `` how do we draw the line between protection of National Security , obviously the government 's need to obtain intelligence datum , and the protection of civil liberty , particularly the sanctity of my home ? you have get no right to come into my home '' .