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Unthinkable
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by
Bill
(last edited Jun 20, 2010 12:46PM)
(new)
Jun 20, 2010 12:45PM
I saw this recently and found it most disturbing. No so much because of the subject matter, but because under the circumstances, I came to feel that the Samuel L. Jackson character, H, was a rational man. And, I'm a bleeding heart liberal.
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"Unthinkable" will give people of all political persuasions plenty to argue about. A terrorist named Arthur Younger (Michael Sheen, "Frost/Nixon") has planted nuclear bombs in three American cities, then allowed himself to be arrested. The government, desperate to find these bombs, turns Younger over to a man known only as H (Samuel L. Jackson), who will use any means to extract information from Younger, despite the protests of FBI agent Helen Brody (Carrie-Anne Moss, "Memento"), who argues that torture doesn't produce viable data. Though "Unthinkable" is driven by this debate, the plot moves forward propulsively, never getting bogged down in rhetoric, and it carefully grounds this fantasy scenario (Younger is to real terrorists as Hannibal Lecter is to real serial killers) in realistic textures and details. It helps that the cast is crammed with talented characters actors, including Martin Donovan ("The Opposite of Sex"), Stephen Root ("NewsRadio"), and a lot of faces you'll recognize, even if you don't know their names. More importantly, "Unthinkable" gives weight to both perspectives and doesn't pull its punches about what torture entails. The final moment will provoke the most debate: does it bring the argument to a conclusion, or are the filmmakers just picking the most flamboyant ending? "
It is a must see movie, imo. While the topic of torture and politics is uncomfortable and harsh, the movie should be watched. What made it even more "real" is that what they did (torture) undoubtedly was or has been done by the US in the same or differing degrees. I watched again with commentary too. The FBI cooperated in this, a former "torturer" who may or may not have worked for our government provided advice. The movie does what it should, evoke emotion, fear, passion and urgency. It draws a deep dark line and forces the viewer to either cross it or stay on the "safe" side. But what exactly is the safe side? The possible "rights" of one versus the welfare or lives of many and a country, government, economy. Great film. SLJ seemed to enjoy it a little too much though. Ever since Pulp Fiction, he has become the (self indulged)embodiment of "Bad Ass Motherfucker."
