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Movie Review: Traitor Alternate Title: Lies, Spies, Moles and Voles
Story: Put on your thinking
cap and go see this latest film about the nuances in the war on terror.
What nuances, you say? This movie is a welcome change from the typical
shoot 'em up, blow 'em up, fast chases, good guy, bad guy fare. Director
Jeffrey Nachmanoff dares to actually have a discussion
about the ideas and people behind this seemingly endless battle. Jeffrey
Nachmanoff co-wrote the film with Steve Martin
(yes, the one with the arrow in his head). As a child, Samir Horn saw his father blown
up by a car bomb in Sudan. He was raised in the US by his mother, served
in the US Special Forces and then fell off the radar. When we see him
again, he is selling detonators in Yemen to terrorists. Who is this
guy? Is he also a terrorist or simply an opportunist? Enter the FBI
and the Department of Homeland Security and it gets even more mysterious.
This is a first rate espionage thriller that will keep your attention.
The film will get you thinking about moral dilemmas,
good and evil and the ongoing discussion about terrorism and fanaticism. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDQGD-gjyMY
Acting: Don Cheadle as Samir Horn
has perfect pitch. FBI agents Guy Pearce and Neal
McDonough are terrific in their respective roles. Jeff
Daniels as the creepy operative was great. Said Taghmaoui
as Omar was the most interesting character of al for me.
Trivia: Don Cheadle got a Best Supporting Oscar nod
for his role in Devil in a Blue Dress. Guy
Pearce appeared in dresses while in drag as the bratty drag
queen Adam/Felicia in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen
of the Desert. Writer and comedian Steve Martin
is a member of Mensa (which has nothing to do with a dress).
Predilection: None
Critters: None
Food: Some gruel in prison.
Sex Spectrum: No time for sex while engaging in Jihads
and uncovering moles.
Blatant Product Placement: Coca Cola
Soundtrack: Unobtrusive
Opening Titles: Simply the title of the film. All
credits are at the end.
Visual Art: Very nice saturated color and imagery
in the desert scenes and cool colors used in the city scenes.
Theater Audience: About 10 other people. I got into
a conversation in the ladies room after the film. Three women loved
the film but did not understand it. I decided to explain it and they
were very happy and even liked it more after they 'got' it all.
Weather: Hot in the desert.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The endless war on terror is a very
squirmy topic.
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: I figured it out about half
way throughout he film but you might be surprised her and there.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Doubt it.
Big Screen or Rental: Go for the big screen.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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