The Whistleblower movie review
Content
The Whistleblower
(2010)
Although this movie boasts a somewhat impressive cast ± Rachel Weisz, David Strathairn, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci, and even an extended cameo by hottie of the hour Benedict Cumberbatch ± it¶s really all Weisz¶s show pretty much from the get-go. Weisz plays Kathryn Bolkovac, a police officer frustrated that her ex-husband is taking her children (he was awarded custody by the court) and moving far away. When her attempts at a transfer fail, she grasps at a straw offered her by her captain ± a spot on a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia for private security firm Democra. The six month stint pays a hundred grand, so Kathryn would be able to move near her kids. She decides to take it. But what she gets herself into is far from what she bargained for. The security force in theory answers to the UN, but neither of them seem to want to get involved very deeply, handing most matters off to the sexist and corrupt local authorities. When Bolkovac gets involved in a domestic dispute ± which everyone else writes off ± she comes to the attention of Madeleine Rees (Redgrave), an influential member of the international community who suggests she takes the recently vacated post of gender affairs. Kathryn accepts ± it¶s a lot more money on top of her Democra contract ± and gets immediately involved with a human trafficking ring that is kidnapping girls from all over the region and forcing them to work as slaves and prostitutes in the local bars. Bolkovac organizes raids, but someone always tips off the owners, and her attempts to crack down on the trafficking lead her down some pretty dark alleys. When she learns the extent of the slavery ring, and who is involved, and worse, who knows about it but turns a blind eye, she is both sickened and angry. Which, if you¶re any kind of a human being, you will be too. Whistleblower is not an easy film to sink your teeth into; the thought that this kind of activity is actually happening is bad enough, but that supposedly µenlightened¶ people are aware of it and do nothing, or even worse participate in it, makes the stomach turn. Weisz captures Kathryn¶s rage and frustration at the situation, not only of being aware of it, but despite all the resources at her disposal, being able to actually do very little about it. Weisz is excellent in the role, a challenging one, but she probably gives the performance of her career here. She¶s simply riveting in a very difficult role. It doesn¶t hurt to be surrounded with the likes of Redgrave and Strathairn (Cumberbatch, again, has all of two scenes, and Bellucci seems miscast as an ineffective UN talking head). Nikolaj Lie Kaas is also very good as Jan, a Dutch officer who backs up and supports Bolkovac, as far as he is able. The violence depicted against the girls is sadly all too real and all too believable, and it can be difficult to sit through some scenes, although the filmmakers took pains to leave the most graphic of punishments offscreen; still, watching scared, crying girls observing one of their own being tortured for talking to the authorities
is tough going now matter how it¶s filmed ± which is entirely the point. Only by displaying what happens can the film make us understand Kathryn¶s rage and frustration. As I said, it¶s not an easy film to watch, but it certainly is a worthwhile one, both as an educational tool and also to see some really, really sharp acting. The subject matter and harshness of the movie might not make it suitable for everyone, but it¶s well worth your time to see this movie. Just, again, be prepared to be angry and frustrated along with Kathryn. January 26, 2012
(2010)
Although this movie boasts a somewhat impressive cast ± Rachel Weisz, David Strathairn, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci, and even an extended cameo by hottie of the hour Benedict Cumberbatch ± it¶s really all Weisz¶s show pretty much from the get-go. Weisz plays Kathryn Bolkovac, a police officer frustrated that her ex-husband is taking her children (he was awarded custody by the court) and moving far away. When her attempts at a transfer fail, she grasps at a straw offered her by her captain ± a spot on a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia for private security firm Democra. The six month stint pays a hundred grand, so Kathryn would be able to move near her kids. She decides to take it. But what she gets herself into is far from what she bargained for. The security force in theory answers to the UN, but neither of them seem to want to get involved very deeply, handing most matters off to the sexist and corrupt local authorities. When Bolkovac gets involved in a domestic dispute ± which everyone else writes off ± she comes to the attention of Madeleine Rees (Redgrave), an influential member of the international community who suggests she takes the recently vacated post of gender affairs. Kathryn accepts ± it¶s a lot more money on top of her Democra contract ± and gets immediately involved with a human trafficking ring that is kidnapping girls from all over the region and forcing them to work as slaves and prostitutes in the local bars. Bolkovac organizes raids, but someone always tips off the owners, and her attempts to crack down on the trafficking lead her down some pretty dark alleys. When she learns the extent of the slavery ring, and who is involved, and worse, who knows about it but turns a blind eye, she is both sickened and angry. Which, if you¶re any kind of a human being, you will be too. Whistleblower is not an easy film to sink your teeth into; the thought that this kind of activity is actually happening is bad enough, but that supposedly µenlightened¶ people are aware of it and do nothing, or even worse participate in it, makes the stomach turn. Weisz captures Kathryn¶s rage and frustration at the situation, not only of being aware of it, but despite all the resources at her disposal, being able to actually do very little about it. Weisz is excellent in the role, a challenging one, but she probably gives the performance of her career here. She¶s simply riveting in a very difficult role. It doesn¶t hurt to be surrounded with the likes of Redgrave and Strathairn (Cumberbatch, again, has all of two scenes, and Bellucci seems miscast as an ineffective UN talking head). Nikolaj Lie Kaas is also very good as Jan, a Dutch officer who backs up and supports Bolkovac, as far as he is able. The violence depicted against the girls is sadly all too real and all too believable, and it can be difficult to sit through some scenes, although the filmmakers took pains to leave the most graphic of punishments offscreen; still, watching scared, crying girls observing one of their own being tortured for talking to the authorities
is tough going now matter how it¶s filmed ± which is entirely the point. Only by displaying what happens can the film make us understand Kathryn¶s rage and frustration. As I said, it¶s not an easy film to watch, but it certainly is a worthwhile one, both as an educational tool and also to see some really, really sharp acting. The subject matter and harshness of the movie might not make it suitable for everyone, but it¶s well worth your time to see this movie. Just, again, be prepared to be angry and frustrated along with Kathryn. January 26, 2012
