My Review of Rendition

Written by Kelley Sane

Starring Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) and Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain), Rendition is really two stories rolled into one. Just when you think they can't squeeze another dime out of the war in the Middle East, Rendition will prove you wrong.

What is Rendition about?

Well, since there are two stories to this movie, let's tackle them one at a time.

First, a CIA analyst by the name of Douglas Freeman (Gyllenhaal) is stationed in Egypt. He and his boss are driving through a square in the middle of town when a bomb goes off. Freeman's boss gets some debris in the neck, resulting in his death. Douglas is given the deceased's job. He is ordered to represent the United States in the interrogation of anyone who might be responsible for the bombing. The methods for obtaining information are too much for him to stomach. Subsequently, Douglas Freeman defies the CIA and his country just to do the right thing.

Second, we've got an American family, the very pregnant wife and mother, Isabella El-Ibrahimi (Witherspoon), a loving and passionate father, Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally), and their son, Jeremy. Anwar is in Egypt taking care of business around the time of the explosion. Once he arrives here in the US, CIA agents take him into custody and start their own interrogation. Of course, methods used in the United States have to conform to our own laws and statutes. So the head of this anti-terrorist/ paranoia squad, Corrine Whitman (Meryl Streep) orders Anwar to be shipped back over seas for further interrogation.

This is when both stories collide. On one hand, Isabella's husband is arrested for suspicion of assisting the terrorists responsible for the bombing in Egypt and on the other hand, we've got a CIA analyst charged with torturing poor Anwar for info who's starting to completely hate his job. Isabella is trying to find out where her husband has disappeared to. She goes to a friend who works for a US Senator. The senator just happens to know Mrs. Whitman. Of course, Isabella doesn't get very far in her quest. This is the CIA she's messing with. But let's give her credit for trying. Then Gyllenhaal's Freeman is trying everything to persuade Whitman and the rest of his superiors that what they're doing to Anwar is wrong. He eventually discovers what Anwar had to do with the bombing, and eventually takes matters into his own hands.

Third is a very confusing, somewhat insane tale of the actual bombers and their relationship to the head of the police department in town. Try not to think too hard about what is going on. The film leapfrogs from one plot point to another, one story to another so much that you might get a headache.

My thoughts

You've some strong acting by Gyllenhaal, Streep and Metwally. Unfortunately, Witherspoon does not live up to her talents as Isabella. She's not only a weak character but she also comes off as stupid. And I thought she was absolutely terrific as June in Walk the Line. Then there is the stories, juggled together to form one heck of a mess.

Not only are you left puzzled, but there are parts of the film that are just never fully realized or explained. It's a dark tale. It has very few moments of inspiration. It lacks any kind of punch. You're drifting through this confusing mess in slow motion. Therefore, it is exceedingly hard for me to recommend this one.

Final note

Go to your local video store. See Meryl Streep in Kramer vs Kramer, The Deer Hunter and even The Hours, and many more great films. See Gyllenhaal in such movies as Brokeback Mountain or even better, Jarhead. See Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama and Walk the Line. Avoid paying good money to see any of these stars in Rendition. It's not entertaining. It's not even a particularly well-told story. And, it's just depressing.