Back from watching "Rendition" - so spoilers here + general opinion
Just saw the newly-premiered "Rendition" so I thought I'd post my impressions while they're fresh, in random order of importance as the thoughts strike me.
Most important first, I guess - I think Jake did really good in the role. Subtle, unconspicuous angst - the kind of acting he really does well.
And the kind of look he really does well, too - and don't the directors know it? Opening shot of him unclothed in bed, the famous eyelashes - in slanting sunlight - casting shadows on his cheeks. And the make-out session that followed, mmmmnice - with some chick who probably was hot-looking (I wasn't watching her). Several goodlooking angsty troubled-conscience Jake scenes as the story progressed. And of course I liked his heroic turn at the end.
I like Peter Sarsgaard as much as the next person, but with Jake, him and Reese Witherspoon it just was too much of a family affair. The stuff I know about their real lives intruded on the film story. Couldn't help it.
Meryl Streep did great, I thought. Reese really had nothing to work with except some soap-operaish storyline IMO, so I really still have no clue how good an actress she is or isn't. The poor guy who got renditioned - wow what a difficult role and big bravos to him for making this guy so likable and believable and human.
Up till the last 15 minutes or so I thought the film was very good, riveting, engaging, involving the viewers in the dilemmas of everyone onscreen in a gripping and chilling way. Then I got completely confused by the timeline plot twist - can't understand what the point of that was, it took my concentration away from the action onscreen to trying to figure out the whole "time-puzzle" concept.
And sorry, but the end just ruined so much for the film. It was completely unbelievable that this guy could manage to get himself into Spain, then on a plane to the US, and actually get through US immigration and back home, with no luggage and in the same clothes...? And no CIA or immigration or anyone stopping him? Uhm. And I also didn't believe that the paper (Washington Post, was it?) would print that story, at least not so quickly. They'd need so many independent verifiable sources before they'd dare do that - if they even got onto the story to look inot it at all, it would've taken time, time, time.... and isn't it even illegal to print that kind of story now in the US? National Security at risk and all that?
Nope, unfortunately I felt the movie sold out for a US-side happy ending at all cost, - a happy ending that felt forced and that I didn't believe. They'd done much better taking the story to its tragically logic conclusion: The renditioned guy never heard from again, quietly disposed of, - and no papers wanting to touch the story, - poor Douglas, without a job, turning to the bottle for comfort and oblivion.
That would have been grim and sad but much more throughtprovoking and - unfortunately - IMO more credible.
Topic: Jake Jake Jake! (Read 3210677 times)