Review of A Mighty Heart (2007) by Wei W — 20 Jul 2008

It could have been glamorized, sensationalized and calculated. It could have been hyped up so much that everyone who is involved in this film will reap its benefits. But what we have here is a sturdy, grounded film. In what would be a return to the actress we knew before her popularity outburst, Angelina Jolie shows us why she is first and foremost, an actress. Someone could have made a melodrama out of it, but Angelina made sure her portrayal of Marianne Pearl is more matter of fact rather than a dramatic portrayal (which is usually adapted by other actresses if they got the role), thus, making us caring for her character more as if we are there with her in person. And consider the circumstances she faced, she made it clear that she is a very strong person, and the understated matter-of-fact portrayal by Angelina proves to be a tour de force. There is always a fear that the film sinks in melodrama due to its subject matter, but this film knows what it can do and shows us the way it is. Usually a story like this would require action sequences to fill the suspence, but this film uses frustration that the characters faced as the suspense. You know how it will end, since this is based on a true story, but you care so much that you don't want any harm to the characters.

Recommended.