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A Mighty Heart 2007
Daniel was researching a story on the shoe bomber Richard Reid. (Real-life footage of poor Daniel's head being chopped off can be found somewhere in the filthy, murky depths of the internet).
Starring Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman, Archie Panjabi, Will Patton, Irfan Khan, Sajid Hasan, Aly Khan, Denis O'Hare
Directed by Michael Winterbottom ('24 Hour Party People', 'Tristram Shandy', '9 Songs')
Written by John Orloff (based on the book by Mariane Pearl 'A Mighty Heart: The brave life and death of my husband Danny Pearl')
True Story, Drama | 1hr 40mins | Rated (M) | contains offensive language, content may disturb | Origin: USA, UK
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- Flicks Review
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Flicks review
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The worst thing about A Mighty Heart is the ridiculous title. It’s the sappiest phrase I’ve heard in a long time, and is an unfortunate blotch on what is otherwise a very engaging film.
The story concerns the kidnapping and eventual murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. His beheading was broadcast over the internet, and some of us may have had the morbid curiosity to seek it out. Brad Pitt certainly did, and he felt it compelling enough to produce a feature film and cast his wife in the lead role.
Angelina Jolie is…well… adequate in the lead role of Marion Pearl. She manages to restrain herself from any histrionics and keeps her dignity. When, however, she learns of the death of her husband, the opposite is true. Her guttural howls and awful wailings undo much of her good work prior, and one leaves the cinema unsure as to whether Mrs Pitt was a worthy watch or was, on the other hand, “Acting with a capital A”.
The best parts of the film are ‘sans Angelina’, and concern other members of the search and rescue squad exploring the labyrinth of Karachi in their hunt for Pearl. The police chief (Irfan Khan) tortures a suspect in such a way that one is left wondering as to whether Pearl’s captors could do much worse (This, I’m sure, is the point). A few red herrings are dropped into the mix (Most of which play on a generalized Western fear of any dark skinned man with a grey beard and strange head-gear). All this adds to a sense of mystery which descends upon Pearl’s disappearance like an impenetrable fog.
The alleyways and market-places of Karachi come alive thanks to brilliant atmospheric sound design and naturalistic lighting. This might include a bit of music coming from some shop speakers, or the chugging engine of an old bus. It’s a testament to both this and Marcel Zyskind’s urgent cinematography that you feel as though you’re actually there, actually involved with the characters.
The story is always engaging, and brilliantly edited. But Ms Jolie adds some unwanted star power to what is in every other sense a very good film.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
The Peoples voice
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A Mighty Heart - film review
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Based on a true story; ‘A Mighty Heart’ is an emotionally compelling story of a Wall Street reporter – Daniel Pearlman who in January 2002, while covering a story in Pakistan is kidnapped by terrorists, and the film follows his wife’s journey as she tries to get him back .
The film stars Angelina Jolie who plays the heavily pregnant wife (who is also a reporter) and co-stars Dan Futterman as the ill-fated journalist/husband -Daniel Pearl. And it is directed by maverick filmmaker Michael Winterbottom.
Jolie is surprisingly good. As you watch her, you can empathise with her character as the story unfolds and you see the personal hell that this heavily pregnant wife is going through, trying to find her husband, her love. For every single moment, every single scene Jolie is convincing and you cannot but admire this woman’s courage, strength and integrity.
At times you feel that you should leave the room and let her have a moment, to cry. There is one scene which makes you (the viewer) feel awkward and uncomfortable as we share a very private moment of her personal hell - definite Oscar material. Not only does Jolie serve this character well, but so do the writer and director. The film unfolds slowly but surely into a climatic ending that will leave viewers satisfied that they stuck it out for 108 minutes. So, yes the film does takes a little time to unravel, and it may be a little slow and methodical for some; as we follow Marianne’s torment.
However, if you want to learn a little more about the world than Hollywood dreams, this film will serve you well and show you another side of Jolie’s acting talents, a side that we haven’t scene for nearly five years.
By Luke Mason
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It's a shame events occur that create the opportunity for such a movie
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In fact i wonder whether telling these stories lends weight to the bastards who in the name of some God will stop at nothing.
I wholeheartedly agree with the Filcks review(below) and go further and say that given it's currency, the acting and direction are pretty damned good.
Recent history, maybe, but we all need to be remined of such atrocities, unfortunately, A must see.By brian
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Not Angelina's finest work, shes too skinny to play a Cuban woman with a strange French accent and hair that doesn't seem to move the entire movie. But knowing that the movie is based on a true story and real events makes it more bearable to sit through. Put it this way.... my mum thought it was great!!
By Amanda
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A totally pointless movie - mostly comprised of people talking on cell phones and traffic jams in karachi - ok i know terrible things happen in the word but i can watch that on the news on tv - not dressed up pretending to be entertainment - and the guy dies at the end anyway !!
By sean mcgarry
Press Reviews
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BBC
3 3 out of 5 stars
During the hunt, Jolie can do little except sit and wait, and she has few flashes of inspiration. She throws her weight about with the local authorities, screams and cries, and does her stiff upper lip in a televised appeal, but she never quite captures the depth of passion implied in the title...
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Dominion Post [Graeme Tuckett]
3 3 out of 5 stars
A high-minded film that may well take home a Gucci bag full of statues come Oscar night. But I'm not sure that's enough to recommend it...
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Los Angeles Times
Moving and frighteningly real...
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NZ Herald [Peter Calder]
4 4 out of 5 stars
A precise and unsensational retelling of the Daniel Pearl story from the viewpoint of his wife feels faintly voyeuristic...
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Sunday Star-Times [Mark Broatch]
3 3 out of 5 stars
There are contrasts aplenty in A Mighty Heart. The calm of the modern, walled house in Karachi where a heavily pregnant Mariane Pearl awaits news of her captured journalist husband, Daniel, against the madness of the city's streets and alleys...
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The Christchurch [Margaret Agnew]
3 3 out of 5 stars
1/2 Faced with this struggle to see beyond the lead actress to the character she portrays, the film is disadvantaged before Jolie's accented opening voiceover even begins. It's a credit to all the actors and the director that despite this handicap, this film manages to be politically charged, frightening and heart-breaking...
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TV3 [Kate Rodger]
3 3 out of 5 stars
1/2 Compelling viewing...
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