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Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon and Meryl Streep star in this thriller based on the United States and it's policy of Rendition, (Allowed detainment and torture of suspected terrorists.) Since 9-11 the rules have changed and some freedoms of the citizens of the U.S. have been compromised in the interest of our safety. Or so they say. This thriller misses it's mark and falls flat as cinema rhetoric with self- indulgent performances. Jake is sulky and sullen as the CIA agent who oversees the torture of a man detained for involvement in terrorist activities. The detained man is married to to an American woman (Reese Witherspoon). He is Egyptian and lives in the U.S.A. and has a green card to prove it? Reese is so self-indulgent in this movie that her performance seems silly, (quit reading off the cue cards, Reese!) Jake Gyllenhaal is boring and moody as a CIA agent who can't cut the brutality of his job. A shining moment in the movie is Meryl Streep's almost cameo role of the woman who orders his Rendition and torture. She plays the Southern female villian who works for the CIA. She does it wonderfully with coldness and a forked tongue. Alas, the subplots might bore you or make you enjoy it as you read the subtitles. Whichever you choose,the message is clear- big government means less freedom....Oh thank you George W. Bush.Read full review
Most of this political thriller presented as a mostly run of the mill movie with a somewhat better development of many of the major characters, that was much appreciated, until the BIG twist and powerful climax that recalled twists experienced in "Silence of the Lambs," or "The Sixth Sense." Reese Witherspoon as the distraught wife of the missing Egyptian husband and Yigal Naor as the strong-armed interrogator offer strong performances. Jake Gyllenhaal unfortunately is handed a more two-dimensional character and has to struggled with a stereotypical presentation of the emotionally torn CIA analyst that has been presented many times before in other movies. Early on there is the nice scene with an explosion that resembles a scene at the end of "Saving Private Ryan," the silent scene that was used so effectively in reflecting one consequence of violence. The script also provides a little more glimpse into the mind-set of the "enemy" but still doesn't allow the audience really much understanding, again permitting the audience to wallow in stereotypical characterization. The cinematography and photography also is somewhat of a letdown because unlike "Jarhead," or "Blackhawk Down," the crisp, raw visceral presentation is missing not allowing the audience to really be there in the movie, there is some distance that keeps the audience from realizing the intensity of the emotions occurring on the screen. However, overall, the movie redeems itself by the end, offering the audience a measured look into the complexity of the United States' use of rendition and the possible complications and consequences that may occur through its use.Read full review
I decided to buy this movie on the recommendation of a friend and I must say, it was a very good recommendation. The movie is set in modern day times meaning it deals with today's war on terrorism and how an innocent man can be taken away from his family, from his country, with no rights whatsoever as an American citizen, and be tortured because someone within our Government decides who is and who isn't a threat to our National Security. Interestingly the people who make these decision are not elected officials. But rather are Federal Employees, serving at the pleasure of the American taxpayer, upon which they draw their paycheck. Through our taxes. And yet today, in our country, we have people making decisions which shred our Constitutional Rights as free people like never before. Why? That is the question you'll find yourself asking after watching Rendition. Why do I as an American taxpayer allow such activity to occur to my fellow Americans? After watching this movie you'll come to understand just how vital an importance Habeaus Corpus is to a free nation. Yes there are people in this world who want to hurt us. But as one of the main characters in the movie states "How much verifiable intelligence have we obtained through torture? People will say anything when tortured". I assure you this movie will leave you pondering the same question while in your heart you'll already know the answer. We live in scary times and this movie helps provide the proof. Who should we really fear? I must say with a measurable amount of shame after watching this movie and again, it is only a movie, I fear my own Government more than I do any Islamic fundamentalist terrorist. At least I know what Middle Eastern people here in the United States look like. It is those people hiding in the shadows, conducting Renditions at random, who I have no idea to their identity. A very good movie. The ending leaves a little to be desired but on the whole this movie leaves you with stimulating thought.Read full review
No doubt in my mind about the message this film drives home. We must protect our freedoms; but at what cost? Many aspects of this film tend to strike right at the hearts and minds of people from all respectful nations who still believe in humanity. Although this film was political in nature (therefore, those that are, usually get less publicity and remain sleepers), we probably owe it to the poor tortured innocent souls that have suffered in real life to watch it anyway all the way to the end. SPOILER COMING!!!! Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon star on opposite sides of this story. Even though his character (Douglas Freeman) has witnessed a mass bombing and the loss of his friend's life as well, he decides that the right thing to do is to help set the innocent man free. The story never attempts to answer the question as to whether the character of the Egyptian-born Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally) was actually guilty of any involvement to the attack, although he clearly confesses after being tortured for some time at the hands of the brutish Abasi Fawal (Igal Naor) whose daughter has run away with the brother of a potential terrorist. Directed by Gavid Hood, this film reeled in such hard hitters as Alan Arkin, Meryl Streep, and Peter Sarsgaard. Showing the price and behind-the-scenes drama of post 9/11 anti-terrorist security policies, this film centers around the controversial practice of transporting suspected terrorists to locations outside our country for intense interrogation and torture. Rendition gives us the view from all perspectives and how such atrocities of this world affect everyone from every angle. Morally, this film goes out of it's way not to stand upon one "Soap Box" when presenting the full scope of the duties and roles people have to do their jobs. We soon find that the character Freeman seems to be very anxious and timid at first, however, soon becomes quite squeamish when the real torturing gets too intense. This film will make you wish many things for many people. It's almost like being in a spiritual trance and seeing things from many different vantage points. The film jumps with intelligent ease in time from present to past and back to present toward the ending which seems to fit quite well with the action because we soon start understanding what really happened at the moment of the explosion, but not at the beginning. So watch closely and intently. The writer of this story was right on, as well as the editing and cinematography. Washington D.C. was very believable, which is very unusual, probably thanks to the wonderful coldness of Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin. You may want to watch this at least twice before you form any opinions about this film. I happen to see how both sides of the coin could fall on this one. I'll give this a 5/5 for ingenuity and believability. Great acting from everyone, especially from Reese Witherspoon and Igal Nayor. I really would have liked to see Meryl Streep get indicted and perjure herself in front of a Senate Investigative Committee at the end though. IF YOU LIKE MY REVIEWS, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW BY VOTING, THANKS!Read full review
It is sad to think that our government is capable of such things but apparently this is a common practice! I recommend everyone see this movie for it's content as all Americans should take an interest in what is going on in their country. As far as the movie itself, I was a little disappointed. I found it to be boring and hard to follow. I am a big fan of Meryl Streep and although she played her role as usual, impeccably, it was hard to see her play such a ruthless part. The actors all did a fine job but I expected more from Gavin Hood, (the producer) and wish it had been more exciting.
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