The Mauritanian movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: The Mauritanian

Available February 12, 2021 in theaters. No Video on Demand release date has been set yet.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 2 hours 9 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

This dramatic thriller is based on a true story and based on the book Guantánamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi (2015-12-01) , the actual Mauritanian the movie is about. The movie begins in Mauritania two months after the devastating events of 9/11 in the USA. It tells the story of a man who spent 14 years as a prisoner in Guantanamo Bay without ever actually being charged with a crime.

As an American, it’s horrifying and embarrassing to see what our government leaders did to fellow human beings in the name of national security. It’s easy to point fingers and claim the higher ground but it’s also humbling to see what our military intelligence has to deal with every day in order to make choices that keep us “safe.” It’s fascinating and horrifying to see what political decisions are often made out of pure fear. This movie is a public relations nightmare for the United States’ image, don’t you think?

It has already earned award buzz, as both Jodie Foster and Tahar Rahim have been nominated for Golden Globe awards for their performances. This is a powerful film led by outstanding actors.

THINGS I LIKED:

I really like Jodie Foster in just about everything she does and she has a movie career that spans decades. Her character hires Shailene Woodley’s character to translate French in the movie, but in real life, Jodie Foster actually speaks French fluently and was even in a French foreign film called A Very Long Engagement in 2004. Her performance in this movie is fierce and determined and she absolutely looks part, a well-deserved Golden Globe nomination.
Tahar Rahim is excellent in this role and shows impressive range while his character endures psychological and physical torture for years, another well-deserved Golden Globe nomination.
You visit Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo), a location that has been shrouded in mystery for decades.
You get to see pictures and video footage of the real people at the end of the movie during the rolling credits. Keep watching after the movie ends!
The contrast of being so close to a peaceful beach location is in stark contrast to the barbaric treatment that occurs to prisoners just hundreds of yards away in the buildings by the bay.
One of the most powerful scenes, for me, was when guilt and innocence were in question and Jodie Foster’s character and Shailene Woodley’s clashed in opinions, questioning whether their time and lives were being well spent or wasted.
Director Kevin Macdonald doesn’t shy away from tough questions and presents a very honest look at what hides in dark places. He also brought us a controversial story in The Last King of Scotland
The scenes where Mohamedou Ould Slahi was tortured for 70 straight days are extremely uncomfortable to watch, especially when you’re not 100% certain whether he is guilty or not. That uncertainty elevates the tension and makes a strong impact. The editing during those sequences was really well done.
Would you be willing to be a captive for 14 years if you were promised a best-selling book afterward? Just curious. Yeah, me neither.
Zachary Levi fans might be surprised to see him in a small role in this picture, a type of character he’s not typically known for doing.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

As much as everyone on the planet loves Benedict Cumberbatch, he seemed a little bit miscast for this role as a southern military man. That’s not to say that Cumberbatch didn’t give a good performance; he did. I’d love to know if you thought his accent was on point or distracting, especially considering he is a renowned British actor.
Some viewers will think this movie is just another “White Savior” film.
It’s a bit heavy-handed from a liberal perspective. Most people want their government to protect them but they don’t want to know about the hard choices that their leaders have to make each day in order to provide that security. What methods would you consider acceptable for your leaders to take in order to get to the truth that will keep you safe? Great questions, right?
This is a movie that is interesting to watch once, but not really one that you’d want to watch over and over again.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

There are subtitles and text messages you have to read.
Profanity and F-bombs
Kids will be bored with all of the political talking
Portrayal of physical and emotional torture
Forced sexual acts on prisoners

THEMES:

Humanity and the value of a life
Freedom
National security
Values
Choices and consequences
Power
Fear
Revenge
Compassion
Guilt vs. innocence
Doubt
The right to a fair trial
Wrongful imprisonment
Duress
Good guys vs. bad guys and trying to decipher which is which
Accountability

FUNNY LINES:

“You speak English? How did you learn?” – Teri Duncan (Shalene Woodley) “Just like you…one word at a time.” – Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Tahar Rahim)

INTERESTING LINES:

“The word for ‘free’ and ‘forgiveness’, it’s the same word.” – Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Tahar Rahim)
“This guy is the Forrest Gump of Alqida. Everywhere you look, he’s there.” – soldier