Review of Traitor (2008) by Rachel C — 22 Jun 2009
Don Cheadle takes us on yet another of his journies that explores US foreign policy and all the murkiness that lies within. Cheadle, the actor-activist, has broaden his horizons from Rawanda to Yemen to the country roads of the US.
Listen carefully as the Muslim converts hear the underpinnings of the philosphical and violent justifications for jihad. But what's missing in the dialogue is that while the West does use oil from the Middle East (and any where else it can get its hands on it) the iman neglects to mention that the Saudis and others running the Middle East SELL the oil to the West.
It's the Arab leaders who are selling out their people, their natural resources and their futures for their own personal gain. Again, listen closely and you'll see how yet again Hollywood misses a chance to confront the full story of why so many young, impressionable and un-employed Muslims give up their lives for jihad.
It is at best a decent thriller whose potential for real "A-HA, I get it now" moments are lost in translation. And as my final asides: Guy Pearce's accent was distracting and so too was Ms.
Panjabi's stretching in the park. Her moment was the least believable acting of a scared & paranoid journalist-girlfriend of an international criminal on the run that I have seen in recent years.
..alas a fine example of poor direction and editing.
This review of Traitor (2008) was written by Rachel C on 22 Jun 2009.
Traitor has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
