Not even an A-list cast can make a first-rate movie out of this repetitive and torpid political drama, a heavy-handed bit of agitprop aimed at exposing abuses in post-9/11 intelligence gathering. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a low-level CIA functionary forced by circumstances to oversee the interrogation of a suspected terrorist accomplice, who is kidnapped and taken to an unnamed Middle Eastern country. The suspect (Omar Metwally, in a chillingly effective performance) is an Egyptian-born chemical engineer—married to an American and living in Chicago—who has been linked to a terrorist long wanted by authorities. While he's being tortured for information, his pregnant wife (Reese Witherspoon) is conducting a back-channel investigation with the aid of an old boyfriend (Peter Sarsgaard) now working for a prestigious senator (Alan Arkin). The pair hope to force an admission from the CIA bigwig (Meryl Streep) who has ordered the secret incarceration and questioning. Director Gavin Hood, following the Crash model of multiple-line storytelling, never misses an opportunity to pound home his points with a sledgehammer when a few gentle taps would have done nicely, and at least one of the three plot threads—involving the romance of the chief interrogator's daughter with a youthful, would-be suicide bomber—is totally superfluous and only prolongs the torture (of the viewer). An old-fashioned “message movie” masquerading as entertainment, Rendition is an optional purchase at best. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Gavin Hood, a half-hour “making-of” featurette, the production featurette “Outlawed” (28 min.), five deleted/alternate scenes with optional commentary (18 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a labored political drama.] (E. Hulse)
Rendition
New Line, 120 min., R, DVD: $28.99, Feb. 19 Volume 23, Issue 1
Rendition
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: