Rethink Afghanistan

Politically charged documentary filmmaker Robert Greenwald's Rethink Afghanistan is a feature-length version of a film that has already been shown in installments on the Internet, combining location footage with interviews of various American and Afghan experts and observers. Many of the issues tackled here—troop and civilian casualties, the ongoing abridgement of women's rights in the post-Taliban era, and the continued presence of terrorists—have been covered in other productions with greater focus and depth. Greenwald doesn't dominate the proceedings with a quasi-comic, larger-than-life persona, but he shares Michael Moore's habit of spinning and reshaping material to suit his political objective (if anyone can make a cogent argument about the value of international troops in Afghanistan, Greenwald isn't interested in hearing it). At 75 minutes, the film falls short of providing any deep understanding of the hodgepodge of subjects covered, especially the rigid Islamic theocratic culture that continues to permeate Afghan society. DVD extras include audio commentary by Greenwald; assorted featurettes, including “Messages to Obama: Afghans Speak Out,” “Negotiating with the Taliban,” and “Eight Experts Debate Afghan Issues”; and footage of retired Cpl. Rick Reyes testifying against the war before Congress. Despite its flaws, Rethink Afghanistan is a timely if scattershot program that will add to the current ongoing debate in the wake of President Obama's new focus on the conflict. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)