Rendition

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Cast & Crew

Jake Gyllenhaal
Douglas Freeman

Reese Witherspoon
Isabella El-Ibrahimi

Alan Arkin
Sen. Hawkins

Peter Sarsgaard
Alan Smith

Omar Metwally
Anwar El-Ibrahimi

Moa Khouas
Khalid

Yigal Naor
Abasi Fawal

Zineb Oukach
Fatima

Meryl Streep
Corrine Whitman

Gavin Hood
Director

Kelley Sane
Writer

Steve Golin
Producer

Marcus Viscidi
Producer

Toby Emmerich
Executive Producer

Keith Goldberg
Executive Producer

David Kanter
Executive Producer

Keith Redman
Executive Producer

Michael Sugar
Executive Producer

Edward Milstein
Executive Producer

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News & Interviews for Rendition

Critic Reviews for Rendition

Audience Reviews for Rendition

• Jan 11, 2014

  RENDITION // Before "Zero Dark Thirty" caught everyone's attention about the treatment of terrorist suspects in other countries, "Rendition" explored the same basic idea six years prior to a much lesser audience. But what's the difference? Were people not ready to hear about the idea of "extraordinary rendition" back then, which was a very real thing that occurred under the go ahead from the George W. Bush administration? One thing "Rendition" did have on its side was star power, which is actually what finally got me to see it. While "Zero Dark Thirty" has impressive newcomers that will be legends decades from now in Jessica Chastain and Jason Clarke, "Rendition" has household names like Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, and Reese Witherspoon, which on paper, really sells this film on its own. When "Rendition" came out in 2007, I paid little attention, probably because I am not that in touch with politics, especially back then. With its entire plot focusing on the event of a U.S. citizen and family man being intercepted at an international airport and being immediately deported to be tortured in a foreign country, there's not much sheer entertainment value in that to grab anyone's attention. But add to that the familiar faces, like Gyllenhaal in his follow up role to the dark and brooding Fincher movie, "Zodiac" or Meryl Streep in one of her only villainous roles, and the reasons for seeing the film skyrocket. And once you take the film at face value, the story becomes interesting and you start learning more about this strange occurrence in our nation's history and you start to wonder why this wasn't a bigger deal in the media at the time. Timing is the key factor here. Not long after the death of Osama Bin Laden, "Zero Dark Thirty" made waves with a female director and the story of how men were tortured to divulge information in order to find and kill Bin Laden. "Rendition" takes no real measures in focusing on any real life counterparts and presents a political fiction simply based on ideas. Both films have great performances in them, with a fantastic cast of characters, but "Zero Dark Thirty" proves so much more with its unseasoned cast and with a shocking look at that world, in which the curtain is drawn back on some of our nation's dirty secrets. "Rendition" is a film that always feels like a film, which makes the audience lack that connection that latches them to the material. We may love the actors in their roles, but in the end, its watching them play these roles instead of become these roles that makes the huge difference.
  Christopher H Super Reviewer
• Jul 07, 2013

  Rendition is a tense and engaging thriller full of strong performances, smart social commentary, and with a clever twist that adds context and emotional poignancy to everything which precedes it.
  Isaac H Super Reviewer
• Jun 18, 2012

  This film made me questioned about America's involvement in torture techniques during the days of The War On Terror and how innocent people were captured, detained, humiliated, abused and stripped of their own humanity. "Rendition" left me with the impression of feeling guilty and disillusioned. Egyptian-born chemical engineer Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Omar Metwally) mysteriously vanishes on a routine flight from South Africa to Washington, his wife, Isabella (Reese Witherspoon), embarks on a frantic international search for her missing husband. At the same time, a CIA analyst (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrives at a clandestine detention facility outside of United States. As the interrogation of El-Ibrahimi gets under way, the CIA analyst is profoundly shaken by the unorthodox methods used by the man's captors, and quickly begins to reevaluate his assignment. This film left me shaken.
  Brian R Super Reviewer
• Oct 30, 2011

  I had heard mixed things about Rendition. When I finally gave it a shot, I didn't understand why people where a bit negative towards the film. The film is a well crafted thriller and is one of the better genre films to come out in quite some time. The cast here are well assembled and they each deliver good performances. The story of the film is very engaging, thrilling and intricate. Rendition is a solid film and works as political thriller. The story, I felt was very strong and well developed. I very much enjoy these types of films that blend espionage, action and thrills into one film. Rendition is a solid thriller that delivers edge of you seat entertainment, and the cast make this film much better than it is. Especially with lead actresses such as Meryl Strep and Reese Witherspoon. Rendition's plot is engaging, and I thoroughly enjoyed this film. This is a brilliant film that was well conceived. Director Gavin Hood crafts a solid film and Rendition is better than what most people may think. This is a well made film with good performances and a great plot. If you're looking for a good thriller, Rendition is that film. The film is worth watching, and has enough thrills to keep you engaged. Rendition is a good film that doesn't deserve the flack it has received. This is a good film that will appeal to viewers looking for a solid thriller.
  Alex r Super Reviewer

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