The story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Tahar Rahim), a man who was believed to have been involved in the planning of 9/11. He was held at Guantanamo Bay for years without trial. Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) were the lawyers who took his case, and Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch) was the military lawyer assigned to prosecute. What they discovered was a a case built on flimsy, circumstantial evidence and forced confessions.
Based on Slahi's book 'Guantanamo Diary' (which he wrote while still incarcerated) this is a shocking look at US counter-terrorism activities after 9/11, and how that event was used to justify "questionable" actions. In that way it would make an eye-opening double feature with The Report starring Adam Driver - both movies are available on Amazon Prime Video. Much like The Report, this is a story that should be told. And not just for Mohamedou, but for all those who were locked up at Guantanamo for years without trial. But as shocking as this story is - and it really is shocking - it gets to a point where what you're seeing actually becomes infuriating. In fact, watching The Mauritanian I was reminded of a quote by the legendary comedian, Bill Hicks; "How does it feel to find out we're the Evil Empire?"
It's strange then, that the filmmakers should choose to handle a story like this in such a generic way. The movie follows the standard pattern of pretty much every Hollywood conspiracy/legal drama. What saves it is the performances; Tahir Rahim especially! How Mohamedou managed to not only keep it together, but to remain that intelligent, funny human being in the face of such despair I will never know. Rahim - who previously played an FBI agent investigating Al Qaeda in the run up to 9/11 in The Looming Tower - perfectly portrays the terror, frustration and sense of hopelessness of finding yourself stuck in a place like Guantanamo Bay. While Jodie Foster brings passion and conviction to a lawyer who is simply trying to see the law is upheld at a time when it's easily brushed aside (along with our humanity). It is a shame however, that Shailene Woodley is under used as her colleague. But it's Benedict Cumberbatch as Marine Corp lawyer Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch who has the most interesting arc. As the man tasked with prosecuting Mohamedou's case - one with a very personal stake in doing so - Cumberbatch - who also puts on a pretty decent accent - brings to life the conflict that Couch must have struggled with, in an incredibly genuine way.
It would certainly be understandable for anyone watching this to be more than mildly annoyed by what they're seeing. In fact, they should be. Thanks to the magnificent performances, this story is elevated beyond the generic framework used to tell it, giving the movie the kind of emotional whack it deserves. Ultimately, this is a story about fear. Fear of another 9/11, of not being able to prevent it, and on the other hand; fear of losing everything, including that what makes us who we are. Seeing what happens when people surrender to that fear, as well as when they fight it, is what makes this movie so terrifying, and yet so compelling.
Despite a pretty standard delivery The Mauritanian is an eye-opening look at US foreign policy post 9/11, not to mention the devastating effect it had on the lives of Mohamedou Ould Slahi and his family.
8/10
The Mauritanian is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
What did you think of The Mauritanian? Leave a comment below or find us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also email us at moviemoustache@gmail.com.
Comments
Post a Comment