Based on the memoir of wife of Daniel Pearle, the Wall Street Journal reporter kidnapped and killed by extremists, the film does an effective job of portraying the saga - the days in Pakistan that Mariane Pearle spent from his kidnapping till he was eventually assassinated.
The film begins with the events that unfold leading to the kidnapping and then the efforts of the Pakistan government and Americans to deal with this scenario. The film is told from Mariane's perspective and Jolie does an effective job. She is also perpetually supported by her room-mate, her husband's colleague, an Indian journalist played by Archie Punjabi.
The film has many Indian actors, the most prominent being Irrfan Khan, who is as solid as ever in an important role of the Pakistan CID Head who is in-charge of the investigation.
The tricky part in such a film is - how to unravel the conflict from the protagonist's perspective, when she is in a passive position. The men of action are the investigators. Mariane can't do much except when she has to react to the situations unfolding.
Yet being with Mariane's character, going through her emotions, the actions she takes within the limitations does the story work to a good extent.
Based on the memoir by Mariane Pearle
Writer: Sara Crichton and John Orloff
Director: Micahel Winterbottom
Rating ***
[Max Rating ****]
[Viewed on 27th June at Hampden courtesy NetFlix]
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