Review of A Mighty Heart (2007) by Simon T — 20 Oct 2008

In a nutshell: Jolie's reporter husband gets kidnapped by Al Quaeda in Pakistan, Jolie remains remarkably dignified as her worst nightmare unravels.

Not the most cheery of stories (this being a true one, we kind of know a happy ending isn't on the cards) but this is well written and is a balanced account of events that doesn't decend into mud slinging, as Jolie and the Pakistani police really do try everything to get her husband back. the film is helped by a low key documentary style direction, which only goes to make it more believable (and un-Hollywood). Jolie may have copped some flack for "blacking up" but is very convincing in her role and acts superbly. Her primal scream style yelps when she gets the bad news are particularly harrowing and hard to watch.

All in all, a good film, and a valid testament to Pearl's strength of character, but can't be doing the Pakistan tourist trade much good.