This film revolves around a terrorist who has placed three nuclear bombs in urban areas of America. An FBI anti terror agent, and a utilitarian interrogator. Most of the film is played out in a secluded interrogation room while "H", the interrogator, goes further and further in his attempts to torture the location of the bombs out of the resilient terrorist. The FBI agent, played by Carrie Ann Moss is appalled, but she finds it harder and harder to oppose H's methods as the countdown nears its end. The two protagonists actually both approach each others standpoint near the end.
The film is quite well acted by all three major roles, at times more than well. It is well made and thrillingly composed in its way, and the torture scenes are always relevant to drive home the point of the flick, so they never seem superfluous or speculative.
The issue of the film, which is perhaps too clearly spelled out, is always lurching in the background. However here, also, lies one of the films biggest problems. It seems to be addressing the philosophical battle between deontological and utilitarian ethics, and at the same time, the political issue of the justification of torture. While the film still manages to be relevant, it becomes a little confused. I like that it ends in a question about being "human" and ethical, but the question should be more clearly stated. It would probably have served them better to focus on one of these issues at a time.
Also, the film is not completely devoid of plot holes or Hollywood excesses, but nothing that ruins the experience, or the plot. That the terrorist is a Muslim is perhaps a bit of a clichè, but i can't argue with the reality of it, and at least he wasn't a clichè of a figure, spouting jihad this and jihad that through his yellow teeth and swarthy beard.
Overall it works better as a suspense thriller with some ethical overtones than a brainy discussion of terrorism or its countermeasures, but that's OK. Good effort.
The film is quite well acted by all three major roles, at times more than well. It is well made and thrillingly composed in its way, and the torture scenes are always relevant to drive home the point of the flick, so they never seem superfluous or speculative.
The issue of the film, which is perhaps too clearly spelled out, is always lurching in the background. However here, also, lies one of the films biggest problems. It seems to be addressing the philosophical battle between deontological and utilitarian ethics, and at the same time, the political issue of the justification of torture. While the film still manages to be relevant, it becomes a little confused. I like that it ends in a question about being "human" and ethical, but the question should be more clearly stated. It would probably have served them better to focus on one of these issues at a time.
Also, the film is not completely devoid of plot holes or Hollywood excesses, but nothing that ruins the experience, or the plot. That the terrorist is a Muslim is perhaps a bit of a clichè, but i can't argue with the reality of it, and at least he wasn't a clichè of a figure, spouting jihad this and jihad that through his yellow teeth and swarthy beard.
Overall it works better as a suspense thriller with some ethical overtones than a brainy discussion of terrorism or its countermeasures, but that's OK. Good effort.