Clear and Present Danger

Main Plot

In "Clear and Present Danger," directed by Phillip Noyce, CIA Analyst Jack Ryan finds himself thrust into a complex and dangerous situation after the murder of a close friend of the President, who was involved with a Colombian drug cartel. When the President declares the drug cartels to be a "clear and present danger" to the United States, a covert war is initiated against the drug lords in Colombia. Unbeknownst to Ryan, a secret field operation has already been put into motion, which includes illegal military actions ordered by corrupt officials within the President's administration. As Ryan delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers the illicit scheme and faces the challenge of exposing the corruption while maintaining his integrity and loyalty to the law. His pursuit of the truth leads him into dangerous territory, both politically and physically, as he confronts the powers orchestrating the war from the shadows. Throughout the film, Ryan must navigate a maze of deception and moral ambiguity, testing his ethics and resolve in the face of overwhelming odds.

Characters

• Harrison Ford plays Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst uncovering illegal government operations while combating a Colombian drug cartel.
• Willem Dafoe plays John Clark, a CIA operative who assists Jack Ryan in uncovering and combating illegal drug operations in Colombia.
• Anne Archer plays Cathy Ryan, the wife of protagonist Jack Ryan, providing emotional support and familial context to his high-stakes political and field operations.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "Clear and Present Danger," directed by Phillip Noyce, CIA Analyst Jack Ryan, played by Harrison Ford, finds himself deeply entangled in a covert war against a Colombian drug cartel. After discovering that a U.S. government-approved mission has been twisted into an illegal war by corrupt officials, Ryan decides to expose the conspiracy. The climax of the film sees Ryan testifying before Congress about the covert operations, despite the risks to his career and personal safety. He presents evidence that implicates high-ranking officials, including National Security Advisor Admiral Cutter and CIA Deputy Director of Operations Robert Ritter, in the illegal activities. Both are forced to resign, though they avoid criminal charges. Ryan confronts President Bennett, who also had knowledge of the covert operations. The President tries to justify his actions by emphasizing the need to combat drug trafficking, but Ryan rebuffs this, stressing the importance of adhering to the law. The film ends with Ryan returning to his teaching position, emphasizing his commitment to integrity and the rule of law, even in the face of immense political and personal pressure. This conclusion underscores the film's central theme of moral and legal ethics in government operations.