The sort of schematic slog that stirs more discussion about the cluelessness of the filmmakers than anything else
Rendition (2007)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:146
Fresh:69
Rotten:77
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: The impressive cast cannot rescue Rendition, which explores complex issues in woefully simplified terms.
Theatrical Release:Oct 19, 2007 Wide
Box Office: $9,664,316
Synopsis: Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this nail-biting political thriller from director Gavin Hood (TSOTSI). Showing the price and behind-the-scenes drama of post 9/11 anti-terrorist... Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal star in this nail-biting political thriller from director Gavin Hood (TSOTSI). Showing the price and behind-the-scenes drama of post 9/11 anti-terrorist security policies, the film focuses on the controversial U.S. practice of transporting suspected terrorists to locations outside the U.S. for intense interrogation and, as the film suggests, torture. Here, it is Egyptian-born Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally), an engineer and family man, who becomes a CIA target. On his way home to Chicago from business in South Africa, Anwar disappears at the Washington, D.C., airport. The records show he boarded the plane, but he never returns to his pregnant wife, Isabella (Witherspoon), and small son. As Anwar is taken to an undisclosed location for questioning, several other plotlines are introduced. After his partner is killed by a suicide bomber, Douglas Freeman (Gyllenhaal), a young and relatively inexperienced CIA analyst, must step in to observe the brutal torture and interrogation of Anwar at the hands of the brutish Abasi Fawal (Igal Naor), whose own daughter has run away with the brother of a potential terrorist. RENDITION tackles serious issues with an all-star cast that also includes a typically flawless Meryl Streep as a steely government official responsible for approving Anwar's kidnapping, and Peter Sarsgaard as old friend of Isabella who uses his political position to help her. RENDITION never delves too deeply into any one character, focusing instead on the important ways in which multiple storylines intersect and the personal stakes that each character has in the case. Clever editing and solid writing contribute to the film's success by encouraging the audience to view events from multiple points of view and by never becoming preachy or one-sided. [More]
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Alan Arkin, Meryl Streep
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Alan Arkin, Meryl Streep, Peter Sarsgaard, Omar Metwally, J.K. Simmons
Director: Gavin Hood
Director: Gavin Hood
Screenwriter: Kelley Sane
Producer: Steve Golin, Marcus Viscidi
Composer: Paul Hepker, Mark Kilian
Studio: New Line Cinema
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Reviews for Rendition
Rendition features decent performances by all its actors, although few are given any chance to shine.
Rather then telling a story with characters growing and exploring the politics of the world around them, they simply take up the roles of well-dictated automatons.
The film unfolds brilliantly and methodically, as director Gavid Hood's vivid characters are unwittingly drawn together.
But Rendition, in the end, is a Lifetime movie with pretensions toward being a political thriller. (They could even call it YOU HAVE MY HUSBAND! since Witherspoon shrieks that at Streep in a ludicrous scene.)
The film exists in a gray zone that acknowledges the existence and relevance of both sides.
Jake Gyllenhaal gets better with each role and here he is impressive as the novice CIA analyst forced to confront his own conscience
Un thriller político bastante crítico hacia los métodos anti terroristas de Estados Unidos y sus aliados, en la misma línea de Syriana, Munich y Leones por Corderos (aunque mucho más efectiva que esta última).
Apresenta-se simultaneamente como um bom filme e, lamentavelmente, também como uma oportunidade desperdiçada.
Rendition's heart is in the right place, but feels like a desperate single attempt to get it all out at once out of fear of losing another chance. I am glad I saw it, but I don't ever need to see it again.
The film doesn't know or care who Anwar El-Ibrahimi is outside of how his plight affects the white folks connected with him.
Rendition gives its take on this practice with enough complexity to keep us engaged — and on the fence about how far our nation should go ...
"Rendition" is well-acted and well-written with a surprising twist that I didn't see coming. It's difficult to single out one performance - making it high on my list for an ensemble award. Powerful renditions by all involved.
While Reese won't take no for an answer from the suits in DC and fights for her man, Meryl Streep's ambitious and wicked CIA boss fights for her career, but this time around the devil wears pistols.
Hood's greatest concern is the line between moral courage and cowardice.
And what the heck does this title mean, anyway? Competing with "Things We Lost in the Fire" for its fuzzy appellation, "Rendition" refers to the U.S. policy of "extraordinary rendition" that allows the government to arrest and keep imprisoned anyone suspe
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February 18, 2008:
RT on DVD: Cram For The Oscars With Michael Clayton, In The Valley of Elah, And More Out This Week
Ready those Oscar ballots! With the Academy Awards around the corner, it's time to start catching up on what you missed in theaters. Snap up this week's offerings for... More...
October 21, 2007:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Vampire Flick Scares Up #1 Debut
Bloodthirsty vampires flew high, depressing dramas sank, and many holdovers held up well at the North American box office. The new horror flick 30 Days of Night easily ruled the... More...
October 18, 2007:
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Competition, or a lack of it, will be the deciding factor at the North American box office this weekend for the half-dozen new releases that studios are packing into already... More...
October 18, 2007:
Critical Consensus: Night Doesn't Shine, Rendition Unextraordinary, Gone Baby Gone is Certified Fresh
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