Troubling film starring Samuel L Jackson, Michael Sheen and Carrie Ann Moss about a terrorist who has been captured and who refuses to say where the atomic bomb he’s built and set to go off is hidden. As the interrogation goes nowhere torture expert Jackson is brought in to help things along. This turn of events rattles everyone’s cages since many see it as morally wrong. Even Jackson isn’t too sure he wants to do this since he’s having trouble living with his unique set of talents.
Made in the wake of 911 and seeming to have by passed theater Unthinkable is a deeply disturbing film. Never mind that the scenario raises of scary specters in this post 911 world, but the film also forces us to consider must we always hold onto out morals or are there times, such as the loss of an entire city when it’s okay to toss morals to the wind.
I was rattled by the film not only by its violence, but by the intellectual discussion. These are heady issues with no clear cut answers. Smartly the film doesn’t completely lay it all out for you.
Sadly what should have been one of the great films on the subject goes completely off the rails at the very end. It’s the final minute or two where what was a heady intellectual film throws it all away with a gotcha moment. It’s the point where the film wants decides it wants to have its cake and eat it too. To me it makes what was a serious discussion into just an exploitation film.
If you can forgive the final two minutes of the film I highly recommend this film.
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