The Mauritanian

When watching films "based on true stories" regarding tragedies in American history, there's a sizable group within them that forms known as "shady American government actions". Hearing and witnessing to modern day problems from those in power is hard to watch but looking back on historical adaptations of events just reminds us to hope that we aren't doomed to repeat them. This brings us to another entry into this type of group, The Mauritanian, which was directed by Kevin Macdonald and adapted Mohamedou Ould Slahi's memoir Guantanamo Dairy. I wasn't aware of this drama's existence until it popped up in my Twitter feed sometime ago and I had it on my watchlist until it was available at a normal rental price (after its $20 period). I recently rented on Amazon and after watching it, I was simultaneously impressed by the effort put into it as well as shocked by the events that unfolded.

What's it about? Taking place after the 9/11 incident, the true story follows a captured Mauritanian man in Guantanamo Bay who enlists a defense attorneys aid in his long quest for justice. In terms of how this legal drama is formatted, the narrative has a 55-45 split on the focus between the imprisoned in his past events of torture by the US government and the legal side investigation. The investment in this premise is very effective for the most part with most of that leaning towards prisoners life (both in the present and the pain he underwent leading up to it). While there isn't exactly anything new you would expect in how this is presented, the directing is pretty effective with the cast he's dealing with. 

For the amount of strong qualities in the execution of this depressing story, there are weaknesses that hold it back from greatness. There are pacing issues caused by little scenes that end up feeling more like padding to the content. A majority of the scenes here work well that get to the meat of the issues that there are some outliers that felt like filler (for example minor thing with the attorney's assistant later on that proved to be unnecessary). If 10 minutes were shaved off the runtime, then there wouldn't speed slow bumps that intrude the momentum. 

 

How are the actors? In regards to story importance, the actors to focus on are Tahar Rahim and Jodie Foster. Tahar gives the best performance among the cast in terms of wonderful range between moments of panicked despair, adapting to environments, and admirable determination. Jodie gives a great performance that carries determined demeanor with snark on the side as a persistent defense attorney. Honorable mention goes to Benedict Cumberbatch for feeling like he did the most with his limited screen time. 

 

Overall Consensus: The Mauritanian is a well done legal drama that's bolstered by great lead performances, a depressing true story premise, and solid directing, despite its pacing issues caused by minor screenplay problems. ⭑⭑⭑⭑1/4 Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes R

 

Reasons to watch it: You are a fan of the aforementioned actors and/or director Kevin Macdonald. You don't mind sad legal narratives based on true stories lacking rewatch value.

 

Reasons to avoid it: You aren't a fan of the aforementioned actors and/or director Kevin Macdonald. You are bothered by sad legal narratives based on true stories lacking rewatching value. You aren't in the mood for anything depressing.