Phips’s review published on Letterboxd:
Installment in my Actor Arc Challenge
It kinda really pains me that less than 1k people on Letterboxd have seen this. It's shocking. Admittedly, this wasn't a very publicized film and I even missed it's release.
Films like this (and Zero Dark Thirty and probably many others) really interest me. If you know what this is about then you'll probably find that statement pretty fucked up. If you don't know, this film is basically centered on United States sanctioned torture. I enjoy films like this because of their honesty. Who gives a shit what the Geneva Convention says? Everyone everywhere uses some form of torture when necessary, regardless of what they tell other people. It's effective and, at times, necessary. I admire films like this for showing the real world.
Samuel L Jackson is one bad motherfucker. His Ezekiel speech from Pulp Fiction is seared into my brain and everytime I see him shout I think of that scene and how angry and formidable he was. And that's why I thought that he it this role perfectly. Sure, other actors may have been able to successfully pull it off as well, but I think Sam Jackson was a fantastic casting choice.
One of the best parts about this film is watching the transformation of Carrie Anne Moss's character from disapproving spectator to begrudging participant. Her character and her feelings mirror that of, I'm sure, the entire country. Reluctant and aghast but as the situation settles in more and the impending threat increases the unwillingness fades away the do-whatever-is-necessary attitude creeps in.
I know that this probably isn't for everyone but I wish that more than 950 people on here would watch this.