Review of Rosewater (2014) by Matt M — 05 Mar 2015

Won the National Board of Review Freedom of Expression Award. Disappointing that writer-director-producer Jon Stewart didn't get more recognition for his first feature film effort. It is well done and I will surely follow his post-Daily Show career, particularly if he continues to tell true stories like this.

Bernal's portrayal of Maziar Bahari is just right as the focus of the story. Aghdashloo as his mother shows great strength. The way Bahari describes his sister and his father and their involvement in Iranian political protests as the source of his will to survive was powerful.

There is symbolism about the use of rosewater in religious rituals, but, since I haven't read Bahari's memoir, I did not realize that the lead prison interrogator's nickname is Rosewater until I looked at the IMDb cast list.

Danish Kim Bodnia plays the intimidating prison strong arm who seems to want out of this career of torture and paranoia. I'm curious to know more about this character. So, the title and how the opening montage connects to the interrogator could have been more clear.

Overall, the international cast and immediacy of the events make for an extraordinary drama.