Daniel Cann

The scenes of El Ibrahimi’s capture and questioning are ‘Kafkaesque.’ The viewer will find these scenes disturbing and chilling viewing. Omar Metwaly as El Ibrahimi is totally convincing as a man wronged and completely in the dark as to his predicament, his fear is palpable. Jake Gyllenhaal is on strong form here as well as CIA analyst Douglas Freeman who is there to observe the unorthodox methods of the interrogation and who begins to question his assignment.

Igal Naor plays the brutish, despotic and terrifying head of the secret detention centre, Abasi Fawal. His scenes are powerful and terrifyingly believable, he really exudes power and menace. The film is uncompromising in its portrayal of terrorism and unflinching in showing acts of civil rights abuse. As a result, it is not your standard Hollywood film and is all the better for it. This is intelligent filmmaking with the microscope being held up to US foreign policy and the cult of the suicide bomber.

The supporting cast put in excellent turns as well, Meryl Streep as Freeman’s CIA superior Corrine Whitman is at her icy best, Reese Witherspoon as El Ibrahimi’s distraught and desperate wife, Isabella, Peter Sarsgaard as a senator’s aide trying to help Isabella in her quest to find her husband. They all bring weight and gravitas to the film.

The subplot that plays out involving Fawal’s daughter played by Zineb Oukach and her lover, the young and idealistic Khalid (Moa Khouas) is powerful and suspenseful. The viewer will find their scenes gripping and believable. These scenes will have particular importance and relevance to unfolding events.

Overall I found this to be a thought provoking, moving and totally compelling film about a contemporary issue. The subject matter is balanced and not sensationalised; the film makes its points well. Warning! This is not a first date movie! But makes for insightful, dramatic and entertaining viewing.