Based
on the true story, Angelina Jolie stars as Mariane
Pearl – pregnant wife of Wall Street Journal
reporter Daniel Pearl (Dan Futterman). They are stationed
in Karachi, Pakistan, where Daniel is tracking down
information about shoe bomber Richard Reid. After
setting up a very important, but potentially dangerous
interview, Daniel never returns. Now, Mariane is left
to worry about his safety, manage the competing groups
trying to conduct the investigation, deal with the
worldwide press attention and comfort his family thousands
of miles away.
What happened to Daniel Pearl?
It’s not easy to make a dramatic, tense movie
when many in the audience already know the ending,
but director Michael Winterbottom has created one
of the most compelling and emotional movies you will
see, and one which should receive massive Oscar consideration.
Much like United 93, Winterbottom has crafted A Mighty
Heart into a raw movie free of histrionics, a loud
soundtrack or special effects. He makes each audience
member feel like he or she is sitting at the table
with Mariane, going on interviews with the police,
and watching the same news reports on TV as everyone
else as he mixes in real news footage along with recreations
of events. Finally, with his best decision in the
movie, Winterbottom grabs our attention, not by showing
what we know has happened, but making us see the reaction
of those who witness it.
Time
after time, we are on the edge of our seats as writer
John Orloff (based on the book by Mariane Pearl) authors
a mystery for the audience that takes us through the
twists and turns, the possible discoveries, questioning
of suspects, false leads and the conclusion that still
hits you in the gut, whether you followed the story
in the news or not. Along with Winterbottom, the two
create a movie where you can feel the tension rising
minute by minute. Thankfully, A Mighty Heart also
has a cast that can live up to and enhance the brilliant
material.
Many of you will wonder how Jolie could portray a
woman she has very little physical resemblance to,
however, you wouldn’t know it was her if not
for the trademark Jolie lips. She fills Mariane with
an amazing, wonderful mix of power and hope tempered
by reality and preparation for the worst. Additionally,
Jolie delivers what I consider to be one of the most
horrific, gut wrenching, heartbreaking scenes I have
ever witnessed on a movie screen just after the film’s
climax. It’s one of those scenes you won’t
ever forget, makes you squirm in your seat with discomfort,
and you can still hear her just thinking about it
weeks later.
Additionally,
A Mighty Heart also features some great supporting
players like Irrfan Khan as the Pakistani police captain
who is determined to make sure his government and
his agency’s reputation is upheld, and compelled
by honor and duty to do the right thing, as well as
Archie Panjabi as Mariane’s friend and colleague
who tries to help her dig through the case and figure
out who might be behind the disappearance.
I hope Oscar voters remember A Mighty Heart when
it comes time for the voting.
