STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
A bombing occurs in a Muslim country after a failed assassination attempt, and after some intelligence gathering, Egyptian born US based businessman Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally) is apprehended by the US authorities and taken in for interrogation overseas. Assigned to observe his questioning is Special Agent Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) who becomes disillusioned by the torturous methods he is forced to witness. Meanwhile, Anwar's American wife Isabella (Reese Witherspoon) desperately tries to find out what happened behind the scenes but is given short shrift by stuffy, self righteous defence secretary Corrine Whitman (Meryl Streep) who's trying to defend her own interests. Meanwhile a tale of forbidden love in the land of the attack leads to an explosive finale where all will be revealed.
An unflinching critique of American foreign policy, that doesn't cop out like glorified action film The Kingdom, Rendition certainly deserves praise for having the courage to tackle such a sensitive and emotionally charged subject and for being an intelligent and contemplative thriller that presents some very dubious methods of interrogation and intelligence gathering by the various authorities. Unfortunately, the sheer pace of the film is what gets it down, at times dragging so slowly as to be at a snail's pace. It's certainly not for those who like their thrillers fast paced and snappy. It takes it's time and presents a wordy script with admittently well written characters who play like you imagine those in charge probably do and makes you feel for them, even the less sympathetic ones, in the unenviable situations they are in. If it's a reflection of the real situation, then it's definitely food for thought and will provoke various arguments for how those in charge of Homeland Security go about defending America's citizens and dealing with those who pose a threat to them.
In a day and age of speedy, snazzy thrillers that come and go like buses, Rendition certainly doesn't bow to the crowd. Unfortunately, at times, this is more of a burden than a praise. ***
A bombing occurs in a Muslim country after a failed assassination attempt, and after some intelligence gathering, Egyptian born US based businessman Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally) is apprehended by the US authorities and taken in for interrogation overseas. Assigned to observe his questioning is Special Agent Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) who becomes disillusioned by the torturous methods he is forced to witness. Meanwhile, Anwar's American wife Isabella (Reese Witherspoon) desperately tries to find out what happened behind the scenes but is given short shrift by stuffy, self righteous defence secretary Corrine Whitman (Meryl Streep) who's trying to defend her own interests. Meanwhile a tale of forbidden love in the land of the attack leads to an explosive finale where all will be revealed.
An unflinching critique of American foreign policy, that doesn't cop out like glorified action film The Kingdom, Rendition certainly deserves praise for having the courage to tackle such a sensitive and emotionally charged subject and for being an intelligent and contemplative thriller that presents some very dubious methods of interrogation and intelligence gathering by the various authorities. Unfortunately, the sheer pace of the film is what gets it down, at times dragging so slowly as to be at a snail's pace. It's certainly not for those who like their thrillers fast paced and snappy. It takes it's time and presents a wordy script with admittently well written characters who play like you imagine those in charge probably do and makes you feel for them, even the less sympathetic ones, in the unenviable situations they are in. If it's a reflection of the real situation, then it's definitely food for thought and will provoke various arguments for how those in charge of Homeland Security go about defending America's citizens and dealing with those who pose a threat to them.
In a day and age of speedy, snazzy thrillers that come and go like buses, Rendition certainly doesn't bow to the crowd. Unfortunately, at times, this is more of a burden than a praise. ***