A Mighty Heart - New Angelina Jolie film!

[bradavon]

I saw this last night and it was utterly brilliant.

Winterbottom opted to shoot the film part like a normal drama but part in a documentary style which really worked. He also infused real life footage of 9/11 and terrorist events in South Asia.

Winterbottom really doesn't approve of Bush administration it's twice now he's used his films to have a dig at the current administration's politics, although it is not the main focus this time.

Except for Jolie the cast is made up of mostly unknowns which also helps to add to the realism. The streets of Karachi really look and feel how I imagine a busily and chaotic Asian Karachi would be, it really reminded me of the Asian cities I have visited, structured is something they are not (except for Japan). It's not often a Western director manages to make Asia actually look like Asia.

Angelina Jolie was excellent and managed to completely lose herself into the performance. You had to remind yourself you were watching a Hollywood star (not an easy achievement), not only was she entirely convincing but she managed to pull the accent off to a tee. Well I presume she did, it sounded part French but part elsewhere too (Mariane hails from France with Dutch and Afro-Cuban roots). Choosing to shoot the film when she actually was pregnant also really helped to make it believable.

Jolie has given her best performance of her career here. I can see an Oscar nodding.

Considering the film is based on a true story this isn't really a spoiler but just in case you'd like to find out when watching the film (like me):

When Jolie discovers her husband was murdered and how brutally he was murdered her acting goes into overdrive and is simply outstanding. To say her character breaks down is an understatement.

All in all A Mighty Heart was better than I was expecting. Highly recommended. It's one of the best films I've seen this year.

9 out of 10.

[slasher13]

how I imagine a busily and chaotic Asian Karachi would be,

I don't really understand what you meant by Asian Karachi?

[bradavon]

Fair point. I was kind of paraphrasing, perhaps it would've been more clear if I had said:

"how I imagine a busily and chaotic Asian City like Karachi would be"

I was trying to convey the fact I've not been to Karachi specifically but it looks very much like many other Asian cities I have been to. The chaotic, out of order (on the service anyway) nature many Asian cities have. The infrastructure simply isn't there by many Western cities standards. That's not a criticism just an observation. I was trying to convey it in that paragraph not just that sentence.

Have you seen the film? I reckon you'd like it. Sadly it's not the sort of film to get to much attention on this forum, it's probably not masculine enough.

[slasher13]

"how I imagine a busily and chaotic Asian City like Karachi would be"

Ahh but what part of Karachi are you talking about , Tariq road is too busy at times. My aunt lives in Karachi, so I kinda know the surrounding place, although even though I been to Pakistan 4 times, and those 4 times been to Karachi only, I haven't really seen all of it. But you need to be kinda careful over there, My aunt has armed guards station outside, which is kinda scary.

I have heard of the movie, and would like to see it. I like Angie, She pick her roles quite well, from Hacker, Tomb Raider, to Girl Interrupted, Gia and the Good Shepherd. So it would be interesting to see what she is like in this? Is this much of a political movie as well? or does it just focus on the reporter?

[bradavon]

Ahh but what part of Karachi are you talking about

I've no idea I've never been . I've updated my previous post.

But you need to be kinda careful over there, My aunt has armed guards station outside, which is kinda scary.

That is scary. It still surprises me somewhat that countries in the 21st century need this kind of security. But what would I know? I'm just an ignorant white man (not direct at anyone on this forum).

I like Angie, She pick her roles quite well, from Hacker, Tomb Raider, to Girl Interrupted, Gia and the Good Shepherd.

She certainly does. I've always thought her of an interesting person, as well as being super hot. This and Girl, Interrupted have shown she's far more talented that dross like Tomb Raider (which I guess she did for the fun of it). I don't think we'll see another Tomb Raider, Jolie said she got everything out of the character she wanted in the second part 2.

Is this much of a political movie as well? or does it just focus on the reporter?

There is definitely politics mentioned and Winterbottom uses it to get another dig at the American administration (although not heavy handed) but otherwise the film very much focuses on the central story. That of finding the missing reporter.

It's very well made, better than I was expecting actually.

[grim_tales]

I think I might go and see this. The trailer looked very good.

[bradavon]

It's excellent. Next to Dreamgirls it's the best cinema film I've seen this year. Bourne 3 comes third.