Review of Rosewater (2014) by Adam E — 24 Feb 2015

Jon Stewart's debut film comes to the big screen and for his first time there are a lot of solid moments here. The story involves an Newsweek journalist Bihari who was covering the 2009 election in Iran.

After talking to a fake correspondent from the Daily Show Jason Jones, who pretended to be a spy as part of an act, he is quickly detained in solitary confinement for 118 days. The movie centralizes Bihari's struggle within captivity to prove his innocence and showing the mental breakdown to keep his sanity.

This film is definitely a noble effort to show something extraordinary while Jon Stewart definitely brings a lot heavy material to the table it seems at times that are certain points in the film where you wish the materials he showcases had more depth.

That being said for what he does bring is the inside look of the Iranians central governments knowledge of the outside world is very isolated away from its citizens and showing that those who wish to learn more and do more for there country to improve can be very difficult due to conflicting damage that has happened to them nearly 60 years ago.

Stewart's strong point of the film is that there is hope for Iran and showing it can be beautiful even after someone who goes through torture and struggle can come out of it. While Stewart's message is ideal no doubt, moving it to the screen however may not have the impact that one would expect; not because he doesn't do a good job of it presenting it but because it just doesn't take more risks.

Now this being his first film to direct and write I can understand why he wanted to take it safe and make it a universal message. It's a good message, a message that we all can get behind on, but I just have one thing to say Mr Stewart in the future if you decide to continue making films don't be afraid to showcase more truth and depth to your message.

I applaud him for what he brought here all I ask is that he improves upon it.