Universal Pictures, Relativity Media and Forward Pass Productions present an R rated 110 minute film directed by Peter Berg and starring Jamie Foxx (Ronald Fluery), Jennifer Garner (Janet Mayes), Jason Bateman (Adam Leavitt), Chris Cooper (Grant Sykes), Jeremy Piven (State Department Official), Hrach Titizian (Sergeant Haytham), Ashraf Barhom (Coronal Al-Ghaz) and Raad Rawi (Prince Thamer) with an enormous cast of supporting actors.
Saudi Arabia discovered oil in the 1930's. They are the number one producer in the world with the United States falling under the number one consumer category to the product. Wars have always been fought over religious reasoning but many of course have soiled the lands red due to the demand for oil. With the use of actual live footage and a bit of a history lesson at the opening of this film we are introduced to the culture behind Saudi Arabia.
This intense action drama opens with a terrifying bang, literally! A friendly game of softball on a U.S. occupied AL Rahmah military compound in Saudi Arabia is the target of a terrorist attack. No lives are spared, men, women, children even pets are victims to this horrific act to praise "Allah". As Ronald Fluery's son says, "there are a lot of bad people out there", an understatement to the story line and plot of this well written, superbly acted and directed thriller that will have you talking about it for quite sometime.
A team of investigators are summoned to fly from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia to investigate the explosion site and interview what survivors are left alive. When they arrive they are told they have five days to perform this task and of course are not greeted with all of the warmest of regards. Let alone that a woman is part of the team and has the same qualities and rights as her fellow comrades, gun and all, this does not lay well in a country run by men.
Saudi Arabia does not want U.S. officials on their soil since it could jeopardize their rich oil fields. The local State Department wants them out because they don't want to jeopardize their relations. So right from the start this team has their work cut out for them let alone being in a somewhat hostel land where many of the Saudi's are not quite American friendly. Although amongst the thorns there are roses and thankfully this team has encountered several. The Director made a point of expressing the fact that this country and the people within it have personal lives, values and concerns for right over wrong, just like that of Americans. There were language barriers to cross although to some the F bomb is universal and not well appreciated even in their culture.
There are over five thousand princes in Saudi Arabia that all have there own palaces and call the shots of what will and will not be allowed in their country. "A man who kills men, women and children and sleeps soundly is difficult to catch". With the help of Coronal Al-Ghaz, the elite team of investigators have but one goal and that is to find justice.
This film will have you on the edge of your seats from beginning to end since it not only contains some of the most intense action sequences but intriguing conversations amongst the characters as well. During a highway attack on the Americans the chase to follow leads them not only into one of the worst neighborhoods in Saudi Arabia but into a shot out that will keep you praying for the characters survival and that of one in particular. But in the end the fingers tell it all and even though friendships are formed amongst the different cultures it is truth within a whisper that really tells it like it is.
This film albeit quite heavy on the soul and your nerves will produce big numbers at the box office and as a DVD collectors piece. Foxx once again portrays the strength from within as a leading man, Cooper the perfect accent to a well developed story, Garner was brilliant taking the punches as hard as her costars and Bateman was a magnificent surprise bringing not only intensity to his role but a bit of comedic relief when appropriately needed. Don't miss this one but be prepared to wear your emotions on your sleeve since it surely will make you angry. Regretfully so it really portrays the direction this world has gone into over the years.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.