Angelina Jolie is very good in The Mighty Heart, which focuses on the search for Daniel Pearl, the journalist murdered by terrorists. The movie overall has very good performances and sense of place, but the procedural missing person framework of the story honestly was somewhat dull. The Indian journalist portrayed in the movie in real life was very upset about the film, but the wife (whose book it was based on) apparently was okay with it. And, concerns that it focused too much on the wife, when it was based on her book and all, seems misguided anyway. Worth watching, but flawed.
It seemed true and the idea of watching as the wife and others raced against time to try to save the husband while she had to hold herself together was a good idea, if not totally successful in the follow thru. It seemed a bit too much like a not much better version of one of those television shows about trying to find missing persons. And, not as in depth as some might be, or a police procedural would in book form. For instance, we get a quick look at the FBI being involved, including a no nonsense / gruff female agent on the case. But, we don't really see them again, except for one brief scene. How all the parts worked during the search did not really come off that well. And, it could not, it a not too long movie that was also focused on other things.
The Indian journalist, a colleague, talked about the movie and Daniel Pearl himself in an interview last year with Brian Lamb (C-SPAN) and mentioned the wife was okay with the movie. The anguish was clear, especially since she sold her rights to help the film be made -- thus, she had a sort of "thirty pieces of silver" guilt thing going too. You can read a piece Asra Nomani wrote on the subject as well. [h/t Wikipedia] I can understand how someone so close to the events can be upset about a movie portrayal, but it did seem she was a bit misguided in what the movie really could offer. Not having a lot of Daniel Pearl, when the movie is not really about him directly, made sense.
Note how she is upset that Danny is portrayed as a hero in one point while in another he is too bland. I don't think that is how it came out and if heroism is grace under pressure (Hemingway), that is what was shown here. And, sorry, if he didn't take a risk, how was he kidnapped? He had to consent not simply to meet in a public place. Yes, it is a movie with a big star. But, it also is a quality work. Movies about real people often have imperfections, simplifications and all the rest. It helps when those who watch don't know about the events directly or better yet when the events happened in the distant past. The piece comes off a bit sad really. But, worth reading to get a sense of how a real player feels about the movie process.
Is it fair to reference Jolie and Brad Pitt etc. when the wife herself chose Jolie for the role? Is Hollywood to blame for that? I do think it could have helped if there was a bit more character related material. For instance, the commentary suggested a dynamic between the journalist and Mariane that didn't totally come off on screen. As to if the movie was real to life as a whole, I don't know -- didn't read the book or know the characters. OTOH, the Wikipedia entry has various quotes and links that suggest other players in the events thought the film was fair, in particular Mariane herself:
I have heard some criticism about her casting, but it is not about the color of your skin. It is about who you are. I asked her to play the role--even though she is way more beautiful than I am--because I felt a real kinship to her. She put her whole heart into it, and I think she understood why we should do this movie. We had something to say that we knew we should say together.
As to the characters, the Pakistani police captain is a sympathetic character that is truly understood only if you read the book or listen to the "making of" commentary and realize how much Mariane Pearl relied on and trusted him. Also, it was a bit amusing to see Will Patton play a sympathetic character, since he often plays creepy ones. In fact, he came off a bit creepy at times (maybe it was just my remembering past roles) in this one! One article suggested Jolie should have been nominated for an Oscar. I can see it. The scream of anguish when she finds out about his death was a particularly striking scene. Likewise, when she told everyone they did not fail -- they were not terrorized, they did all they could.
This is key. We cannot in life and in all we do always succeed in all respects, be it playing a game, convicting a criminal or pass legislation that we deem necessary and proper. But, we can try our best and do so with grace and justice. Thus, a game well played is respected, even if the team loses. OTOH, in too many places -- not just but including in the political realm -- this is not done. It is in effect a sin. We dishonor ourselves in the process. We are imperfect and will play our roles in a flawed fashion. But, basics are clear. When they are not carried out, we are right to be disappointed, and when appropriate, disgusted and outraged.
Anyway, the movie is worth renting. But, it is a movie that does seem to scream out for a commentary track.