Rendition – 2007
Posted by Scott on 16 Oct 2008 at 02:28 am | Tagged as: Overlooked Films
They say freedom isn’t free. This may be true, but is there too high a price to pay for said freedom? How far do we go to protect our own interests? Is it right to sacrifice humanity? Do we toss morals aside in the name of national security? In our dogged pursuit to eliminate potential threats, are we becoming the thing we set out to destroy? There are no easy answers to these questions. Both sides of this heated issue vehemently defend their position. No matter which side you fall on watching Rendition will open your mind to the pitfalls of living in a constant state of fear.
A terrorist attack in a North African city leaves a CIA operative dead. Swift response from the U.S. government leads to Egyptian born chemical engineer Anwar El-Ibrahimi being covertly abducted on his way back into the states. Evidence links Anwar to a leading terrorist suspect. Anwar’s American wife Isabella becomes suspicious and seeks help from a college friend who works for a Senator. While Isabella desperately searches for answers, Anwar is flown to a black ops prison run by an American employed North African strongman named Abasi. Observing the interrogation is CIA analyst Douglas Freeman, a circumspect man unaccustomed to torture techniques. Freeman wants answers, but he questions Anwar’s guilt after Abasi’s methods fail to cull reputable information.
Back in D.C., Isabella’s quest for the truth about her husband’s disappearance is stonewalled. Saving bureaucratic face takes precedent over helping a citizen in need. Debating national security policies equates to committing political suicide. Isabella is left with little hope. Meanwhile, Freeman continues to butt heads with Abasi. A coerced admition from Anwar does little to suade Freeman’s position that Anwar is innocent. Further probing leads Freeman to conclude Anwar’s incarceration is unwarranted, not to mention illegal. His career on the line, Freeman is faced with doing his job or doing what is right. Whatever he decides means life or death for Anwar.
I’ve written before that films dealing with current hotbed political issues are often swept under the rug. In light of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo it’s not surprising Rendition didn’t garner significant publicity. Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. Director Gavin Hood and writer Kelley Sane tackle the subject of torture with a no-holds-barred approach. The mental anguish endured by Isabella is as equally unsettling as the physical punishment suffered by Anwar. It’s difficult not to relate to the helplessness and rage felt by the characters. A terrific cast features Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Alan Arkin and Meryl Streep. Rendition definitely leans to one side but don’t allow that to discourage you from seeing this fine film. It might not change your mind but it will get you thinking.
The trailer for Rendition:
