SummaryIdealistic staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver) is tasked by his boss Senator Dianne Feinstein (Annette Bening) to lead an investigation of the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program, which was created in the aftermath of 9/11. Jones' relentless pursuit of the truth leads to explosive findings that uncover the lengths to which the na...
SummaryIdealistic staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver) is tasked by his boss Senator Dianne Feinstein (Annette Bening) to lead an investigation of the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program, which was created in the aftermath of 9/11. Jones' relentless pursuit of the truth leads to explosive findings that uncover the lengths to which the na...
Burns, by trusting the audience, has created a darkly authentic political thriller that does exactly what a movie like this one should do. It leaves you chastened and inspired.
The Report is an angry, urgent film that rarely raises its voice, smartly conveying inhumanity and injustice without unnecessary drama. I found it thrilling.
There’s no denying that Driver — with film after film cementing his status as a top-tier actor — is excellent at exasperated outrage, but it’s not enough emotion to save The Report from feeling like a handsomely mounted, expertly researched op-ed.
There are occasional visual flourishes — a nightmarish PowerPoint presentation ending with a slide about mock burials — that hint at the better-balanced film The Report might have been. But mainly we’re pinned down by a firehose-stream of didactic outrage.
I got a chance to watch this at the london film festival and boy did I enjoy it. Directed by Scott z burns this political thriller shines a light on the cruelty of the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation” (torture) following the events of 9/11, and really opened my eyes on how horrific and immoral their actions were. I would strongly recommend this to anyone if not for the quality of the film then for purpose of understanding what actually happened. Too many people dismiss the CIA’s actions by saying that ‘at least it worked’ and this is the very reason Burns decided to take up the project. Another film that you should watch either before of after this is vice, which takes place roughly around the same time and gives you an insight into the presidential offices and the mastermind behind the chaos. Adam Driver takes the scene as Daniel Jones, the the lead investigator on the case of the CIA, delivering one of if not his best performance yet. The rest of the cast, which features several big-name actors such as John hamm, remain pretty consistent and I can’t recall a moment where the acting felt sloppy. The plot is well structured keeping you on the edge of your seat at all times, but I do think the beginning and character introductions were rushed ever so slightly. However apart from that I have no complaints about the film and I seriously suggest you watch this now that it’s officially released .
I enjoyed the film and how the elaborate story of discovery of the torture and its cover-up played out. The film is notable for its absence of usual cheap narrative devices to add dramatic interest, like the suggestive presence of ominous characters hanging out in the background or trite tensions with a girlfriend who gets fed up with Adam's obsessive work. The story is indeed difficult to tell as there are not that many dramatic conflicts between characters; it is mostly about Adam doggedly going about his work, with events unfolding. I think someone with less investment in what happened may be less interested in the film. I certainly learned a lot and found it worthwhile.
The pacing and structure have problems and this is due to the fact that despite the good performances and the good theme of the story, the film never becomes more pulsating or vibrant and when that happens no matter how much you try, the interest will not be the same and the result will not be satisfactory either.
Everything is fine with this movie except its blind, or at least naive, eye. Much like the public, nobody cares about torturing people who cut peoples heads off and fly planes into buildings. Lovely quote by Washington at the end, but i doubt if the general would be so kind if he fought this enemy. At the end of the day, what did this report do? No o e was indicted and I'll wager it put the fear of God into the scum who put us in this position in the first place. I see no nobility in this story. Only idealism. And idealism, zealotry, and a willingness to kill are what lead to 911. Lets have an in depth movie about the fanatics who perpetrated the 811 attack and the people who fought them for once. We were not the bad guys in this fight.
(Mauro Lanari)
In 1986, Primo Levi concluded "The Drowned and the Saved" by writing: "It happened, therefore it can happen again". In this case, with all due respect to producer Soderbergh and his screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, it's even certain that it's happening once again, right here and right now. So I would propose something less vacuous than a further Sidney Pollack or Alan Pakula-style film.