SNMR 5.30: "Rendition"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "Rendition" (2007, R, 122 minutes), starring Omar Metwally, Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, Moa Khouas, Zineb Oukach and Alan Arkin. The film was directed by Gavin Hood.

PLOT SUMMARY: On his way back from a conference in South Africa to his wife in Chicago, Egyptian national Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Metwally) is apprehended by the CIA and taken to a secret detention facility outside the US where he is beaten and tortured for a confession. Witnessing the interrogation is CIA agent Douglas Freeman (Gyllenhaal), who is troubled by the treatment of the prisoner. Meanwhile a pregnant, worried wife (Witherspoon) frantically inquires about her missing husband, enlisting the help of a friend who works for a senator who has connections.

MY OPINION: This is a good film which shows the ugly underbelly of politics and international relations. That the United States government is portrayed as the bad guy is mildly disturbing. That the United States government could actively participate in and condone such extraordinary rendition which clearly violates human rights is sickening, despite denials from the Bush administration (in a documentary supplementing the movie).

The script is well written and the inside view of a middle eastern, Islamic culture is fascinating. Witherspoon is great as the wife desperately searching for answers. Streep and Simmons are wonderfully callous as the CIA baddies who orchestrate the whole scenario.

This is another film that, while I'm glad I've seen it, is not one I can see watching again anytime soon.

***½ out of *****