Le Petit Soldat by Jean Luc Godard ---> 1963

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d58Wt7FQ2f0

Don't forget to click on the 'cc' button for the English subtitles.

Kind of a typical Godard film.  A guy deserts from the French military and becomes some kind of agent in Switzerland.  He is asked to assassinate someone but freezes and finds he can't kill any more.  Even under the threat of blackmail he can't bring himself to commit the murder that will bring him an easy life.

There are some interesting conversations about ideology in the film - it's funny how everyone is always puffing on a cigarette in almost every scene. And, would it be a Godard film if there weren't horny guys lusting after chic women?  I didn't get the part where the secret agent also seems to be a fashion photographer for gorgeous ladies.

There's a 'water-boarding' scene in this movie.  Maybe CIA agents are Godard fans and learned about water-boarding here. :P