I had somewhat high expectations going into this movie and I was for the most part not disappointed. Yes, there were a couple of rough edges (the "corruption keeps us warm at night" speech) but for the most part a very engrossing film. I think to really appreciate it, you need to understand a bit of what life is like in other parts of the world. For example the horrible treatment of migrant workers-- its funny how many Gulf nations on one hand lament the plight of the Palestinians, yet treat them and many South Asians (the laborers who become suicide bombers in the movie) like slave labor. If you understand that context as well as how oil money has a tremendous influence on politics (Robert Baer's book gives a fascinating and unique perspectives on this) I think you will really love this movie. If you don't watch the news and are not up on middle east politics, you might find it confusing as the subtleties will be lost on you.
But what about as a film itself? Context aside I think the Gaghan did a pretty good job with the medium and the overall production of a very ambitious 2hr film. In many ways, I think this would have been a better 6hr mini series (much like the original Traffik -http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096716/) but he does do a good job with the big screen. There is certainly enough material for it and would have given him more of a chance to flesh out the fascinating back stories that he just so much wanted to tell-- in some cases too much so. The story of the dead child for example perhaps I would have cut in order to focus more on the principle characters. Despite these minor issues, a very engrossing film, I will for sure rent to watch again when it comes out on DVD-- hopefully with another hour of material that was cut from the theatrical release.
But what about as a film itself? Context aside I think the Gaghan did a pretty good job with the medium and the overall production of a very ambitious 2hr film. In many ways, I think this would have been a better 6hr mini series (much like the original Traffik -http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096716/) but he does do a good job with the big screen. There is certainly enough material for it and would have given him more of a chance to flesh out the fascinating back stories that he just so much wanted to tell-- in some cases too much so. The story of the dead child for example perhaps I would have cut in order to focus more on the principle characters. Despite these minor issues, a very engrossing film, I will for sure rent to watch again when it comes out on DVD-- hopefully with another hour of material that was cut from the theatrical release.