The idea of torture to get information has been explored in various ways in many movies. Before 9/11 it was usually a means of the good guys, or the bad guys, to get information. It always worked for the good guys, but for some reason, the bad guys could never get what they wanted. After 9/11 torture wasn't always effective for the good guys, nor was it always directed towards the right person. Movies such as "Unthinkable," "Strip Search," and "Rendition" all approach the torture topic from different angles.
"Rendition" is about an American citizen from Egypt named Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally) who popped up as a main suspect with knowledge of a bombing in North Africa. The rendition program is a covert CIA program that gives them the authority to take U. S. citizens to a foreign country for "interrogation." The program is headed by Corrine Whitman (Meryl Streep) and she calls all the shots.
Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) acts as the U. S. eyes in North Africa during the interrogation. He has his doubts about the tactics and the authenticity of the information Anwar gives up.
Isabella (Reese Witherspoon) is Anwar's pregnant wife and she can't find out where her husband is, though she knows he boarded the flight for home. She solicits the help of a political friend (Peter Sarsgaard) to find out answers.
"Rendition" explores the doubts surrounding torturing suspects and, quite frankly, the distance the U. S. wants to put between itself and the torturing we endorse. It's a suspenseful movie that has a few moving parts that aren't readily apparent as to their connection. It all comes together nicely in the end even if it wasn't the best production throughout.
"Rendition" is about an American citizen from Egypt named Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally) who popped up as a main suspect with knowledge of a bombing in North Africa. The rendition program is a covert CIA program that gives them the authority to take U. S. citizens to a foreign country for "interrogation." The program is headed by Corrine Whitman (Meryl Streep) and she calls all the shots.
Douglas Freeman (Jake Gyllenhaal) acts as the U. S. eyes in North Africa during the interrogation. He has his doubts about the tactics and the authenticity of the information Anwar gives up.
Isabella (Reese Witherspoon) is Anwar's pregnant wife and she can't find out where her husband is, though she knows he boarded the flight for home. She solicits the help of a political friend (Peter Sarsgaard) to find out answers.
"Rendition" explores the doubts surrounding torturing suspects and, quite frankly, the distance the U. S. wants to put between itself and the torturing we endorse. It's a suspenseful movie that has a few moving parts that aren't readily apparent as to their connection. It all comes together nicely in the end even if it wasn't the best production throughout.