At one time, it seemed Isis was unstoppable in Iraq. The docudrama Mosul, produced by the Russo brothers, takes us in nail-biting detail with an elite Iraqi SWAT team dedicated to eradicating the last vestiges of the terrorist group with no little motive of revenge in their hearts.
While this drama, pulling together pieces of real events, is largely close-quarter fighting in the alleys and homes of the city, first-time director and writer Matthew Michael Carnahan expertly takes his hand-held and Steadicam with the soldiers to give the immediate sense of terror mixed with courage and mission.
The linchpin of the group is Major Jasem (Suhail Dubbach), rough and soft, tough and smart about Isis activities. More than once must he decide on the value of saving a life or letting it go, be it his soldier or Isis's. In that way this story is like The Outpost earlier this year in which hundreds of Taliban corner a small U.S. team placed in a canyon by irresponsibly clueless officers. Survival by wit is the common denominator, and thoughts of love buoy spirits but not for the audience that knows too well the ongoing tragedy.
Many learn history through realistic films like Mosul. The sights are not pretty, and the losses are not easy to accept. Those who know first-hand our losing efforts in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq can be assured that we have a good idea of the costs of democracy and misplaced ideals through competent and uncompromising docudramas like Mosul.
On Netflix.
