Review of The Whistleblower (2010) by Thomas W — 20 Aug 2011

I oftentimes find myself coming across a flawed film that has such serious subject matter -- that needs to be addressed, attention heaped upon it, brought to the world's attention etc. -- that I will myself to look-away from its shortcomings so that the important aspect(s) of the film (the subject matter) remain the focal point.

This is the case with first-time director Larysa Kondracki and her important, based-on-fact film, The Whistleblower, which stars Academy Award-winning actress Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener, About a Boy, The Mummy).

Weisz plays transplanted Nebraska cop/ UN peacekeeper, Kathy Bolkovac who's tenure in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo is cut-short when she offends some of the powers-that-be by unearthing a human-trafficking ring that's been covered-up by private contractors, the police forces and other fellow diplomats "enjoying" their diplomatic immunity (and all the perks that come with it).

Interested in what Kathy has discovered, a high-ranking official (Vanessa Redgrave - Atonement, Howard's End, Mission: Impossible) wants to give her free-reign and allow her to present her startling revelations; but others don't share in her enthusiasm and many will do just-about-anything to shut Kathy up.

Monica Bellucci (The Matrix 2 & 3, Malena, Irreversible) heads a department that keeps Kathy quiet because of all of the political "red tape" and David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck, L.

A. Confidential, My Blueberry Nights) appears to be one of Kathy's very few allies. This is not the first nor the best film I have seen on this subject (I am still devastated just thinking of Lilya 4-ever), and Kondracki does lose control of the film here and there.

It is Weisz's very strong, fine performance that holds the entire film together. I don't know what The Whistleblower would have been without her. Weisz brought much-needed awareness to a much-hushed-up subject a few years back in The Constant Gardener and she is doing it again here.

Since this isn't an alien-invasion flick and it doesn't feature exploding trains, The Whistleblower won't reach or inform anybody who doesn't already know about it. It is sad that human trafficking will remain a deep, dark, profitable secret until the world is fully aware of it.

Thanks Rachel Weisz for exposing the horrible secrets of the world one-film-at-a-time.