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Rendition might be the most well acted film of the year period. If there is an award for best Ensemble cast...Rendition should make some space on it's shelves because this cast is brilliant plain and simple. A story that is provocative, and devilishly controversial, and the actors take it all in stride giving themselves room to open up their characters and really show some guts and emotion. In this kind of situation with this many actor you might expect some would overshadow others with Hollywood elite involved but they all shine in their own way. Now what can you say about this story? Is it truly anti-American...oh grow up people...this isn't the McCarthy era. It's simply another side to a story where so far no one has said a word about. It's simply providing an alternative to what torturing potential terrorists could cause in the big picture. It's also about a man stripped of his rights in a world that classifies him because of his heritage. No one nation is vilified in the film and no one aspect of terrorism or Homeland security law is being attacked. It's simply showing another side. The story doesn't unfold at break neck speed, in fact to some it might seem to drag and yet the performances are so stunning and the story is so real that you stay riveted to your seat. Honestly I could have done without the chronological mix up right in the middle of everything. I get that perhaps film maker Gavin Hood who is really trying to make a name for himself with this film was trying to throw a very unique spin into the mix and in some ways he succeeded but I felt his tactic took away from the story...but in the same regard it made me want to watch it again!!
Egyptian born Omar Metwally plays Chemical Engineer Anwar El-Ibrahimi who is snatched from the airport only minutes from his wife and son and tortured for weeks. Metwally is brilliant and he isn't afraid to make himself look the part of a tortured and ruined man at the hands of his captors. His screams will haunt you and his humbling performance is brilliant. He probably deserves an Oscar nod for supporting. Hollywood starlet Reese Witherspoon is his pregnant and devoted wife who will stop at nothing to find him. She kind of takes a back seat to the entire story and doesn't over shadow anyone and her performance is a little more subtle but defining at the same time. Jake Gyllenhaal is another who has this subtly emotional role as a CIA Analyst who witnesses the torture of Ibrahimi. His character has a lot of depth considering he obviously has an alcohol problem among other things and has this dark sullen side to him. Moa Khouas is also very good as the wide eyed optimistic and determined Jihad member looking for revenge for his brother's death. He is so young and innocent looking making his purpose all the more disturbing. Zineb Oukach does a great job as his love interest and also the unknowing daughter of his target. Meryl Streep is good and again doesn't overshadow as the top CIA Agent responsible for the kidnapping. Peter Sarsgaard is impressive (and not someone I usually like all that much) as a Senatorial Aid. And Alan Arkin really impresses in a small and yet important role where he really fires up the screen. And finally Yigal Naor probably deserves a supporting actor nod as well as the torturer and devoted father and family man Abasi Fawal.
This cast is just extraordinary and everyone I listed has at least one remarkable moment of true emotion and depth. That's pretty impressive. I think Rendition might be one of the most if not THEE most intelligent film of the year. I think you could watch 5-6 times and get something different and learn something new every time. For instance I don't believe that we ever learn that Anwar El-Ibrahimi is truly innocent. The phone calls are still left an unanswered question. Also I believe that there is some sort of tension, something happening between Witherspoon's character and Ibrahimi (her husband), there feels like there is a distance in there right from the beginning to the rather lack luster ending. Nonetheless the film is really very brilliant and deserves accolades. Definiately an intelligent and taut drama/thriller but I don't think it has anything splashing across it screaming any one truth or message. Go see it for yourself. 9/10
score 9/10
Robert_duder 21 October 2007
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1750777/ |
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30-3-2021 01:08:08