I saw five movies less than a month- four of them in two weeks - so I've fallen behind in my movie reviewing. Now that I've tapped out the Oscar nominees, I have time to write a little...
Gripping and fascinating thriller, which happens to be based on the true story of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden. The film built so much credibility with its unflinching and unpretentious depiction of the torture and spy game.
The first third of the movie explicitly depicts waterboarding and other advanced interrogation techniques used on Al Qaeda. There's no fingernails torn out, as in
Syriana, but it still evokes strong emotional responses in everyone who sees it. I personally felt obliged to see this movie. The violence was the opposite of gratuitous, it was necessary and almost clinical in its presentation.
The ultimate raid on the Abbotobad compound felt completely real. I felt like I was watching a complete and honest recreation of the events of May 2, 2011. For the last half-hour, you could have heard a pin drop in the theater.
My Grade: A
Regal Fenway
