UNTHINKABLE (E1, 2010) D: Gregor Jordan, w/ Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss. Rating: NNNN DVD package: NNNN Rating: NNNN
Powered by a strong premise and tight script, Unthinkable rises above the average thriller with a taut mix of complex characters and disturbing action.
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The Army, CIA and FBI have a home-grown terrorist to interrogate. He’s planted three nuclear time bombs in three different American cities. The CIA brings in torture specialist H (Samuel L. Jackson), who insists on working with FBI agent Brody (Carrie-Anne Moss).
Agencies struggle for control and deniability, H battles with the terrorist (Michael Sheen) for information (do the bombs even exist?) and everybody else for the freedom to do his job. Most of them think he’s out of control. Everyone wrestles with his or her conscience, and the terrorist strives to keep his plan in motion despite escalating agony. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking.
The torture isn’t very graphic, but Sheen’s unrestrained depiction of sustained anguish will make your skin crawl. So will Jackson’s torturer, who by the end sinks into a darkness far beyond his usual tough-guy persona. By contrast, Moss makes the morally imperilled agent Brody effective by playing her quietly.
In his commentary, director Gregor Jordan weighs in with his personal views on torture and some disturbing anecdotes about researching the script. The alternate ending is worth a look.
EXTRAS Director commentary, alternate ending. Widescreen. English, French audio. English subtitles.
