Review of The Mauritanian (2021) by Tvjerry — 12 Feb 2021

This provocative film is based on "Guantánamo Diary" by Mohamedou Ould Slahi. In reaction to 9/11, he was whisked away from his home and imprisoned in Gitmo without any charges. Jodie Foster plays the attorney who volunteers to argue the habeas corpus case against the military prosecutor (Benedict Cumberbatch).

Tahar Rahim is cast in the role of Slahi and his creation is warm, sympathetic and resilient. Foster is compelling with calm determination, while Cumberbatch (with a gravelly voice and Southern accent) handles his stance with conviction.

Considering that most of this narrative involves lots of research sequences and brief interactions with Slahi, it could have been dull and dry. With the excellent performances and Kevin Macdonald’s steady direction, the drama quietly gains momentum until the gripping final scenes.

The inevitable sense of outrage is tempered by Rahim’s inspiring portrayal.