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In the crop of war-against-terror films which arrived this year, Rendition is among the more thoughtful and thought-provoking. Yet the sub-plot, which involves a terrorist plot against a Morrocan hard-line policeman, is in many ways more powerful and more successful than the main theme of the movie. The overall gist is that after a bombing abroad, dubious intelligence points to an Egyptian technical adviser who lives and works from the USA. The CIA, desperate to hunt down the culprits, have no legal reason to hold and question him -- so they do it ilegally. He's snatched at an airport and spirited away to Morrocco where he can be 'questioned' without limits. His pregnant wife, a US citizen, goes predictably batty trying to find him. Meryl Streep plays a hard-faced CIA top-dog who authorises the action, and Jake Gyllenhaal is the inexperienced CIA field man who has to oversee the torture of a suspect who may well be completely innocent. The other plot is more interesting -- it's about the Morroccan police chief interrogator and his daughter. He's battling to control extremism yet is firmly committed to some Islamic principles. She's young and headstrong, has fallen in love and doesn't want an arranged marriage. Their conflict escalates and they become embroiled in local jihadi action. Meanwhile, the action back in the USA seems less credible. The squeaking pregnant wife manages to upset everyone and gets stone-walled at every turn. The CIA boss believes she is taking the action necessary to protect American lives. These characters feel too stereotyped to evoke much sympathy; in effect they are cardboard cut-outs of the arguments they represent. In the end, it's the Morroccan storyline which grabs the attention. Will Jake G's character do the right thing? What happens to the daughter? Did the Egyptian suspect really have contact with terrorists, or not? Rendition raises all manner of difficult questions, and it certainly doesn't resolve them. It succeeds in provoking debate on the subject (is it ever correct to do the wrong thing for the right reasons?), and it has a few twists and turns and scenes that will startle and shock. It's easier to understand and engage with than Syriana, but if you prefer more action in your movies then you should probably try The Kingdom first. I nearly didn't watch Rendition because I felt it might be dull, lecturing or just too horrible. It was none of those things, and I came away excited by the film and provoked by the subject matter. It doesn't hit you in the gut; it's not an emotional or visceral film. It's one which sets up echos in the mimd, more like. Definitely worth getting.Read full review
I saw this at the cinema when it first came out and thought it was good, and watching it on dvd is even better! Second time round you see and hear things you didnt the first time round! Is a great film all round and if you like films such as hotel rwanda, band of brothers, and three kings then you'll love this. It mixes a topical issue with good acting, great script in a fluid combination. Would highly reccommend! Danny
Really exciting film. Very thought provoking. Kept up the suspense right to the end. Surprising twist at the end which took a moment to realise.
an absolutely heart wrenching film! i have not cried over a film in a very long time, this film bought tears to my eyes! i really enjoyed! was completely in to it... wouldn't blink just in case i missed something! i recommend anyone to buy this! absolutely brilliant film!
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