artifice

At the same time, the shameless artifice would seem to be Mr. Johnson’s intent.

The film builds to Jay, stripped of much of his artifice and trappings, finally receiving his award, which includes a tribute reel.

Like John le Carré, he creates his own jargon: safe houses are “coops,” spycraft is “artifice,” freelance agents are “units” and deep-cover moles are “termites.”

The story is told in the form of letters and emails, an artifice rarely embraced by readers.

The movie star’s mask of artifice briefly vanishes, and all that’s left is a puppy dog look of yearning, a sad acceptance that it’s too late to change certain things.