Unthinkable

The toughest, least compromising movie I have ever seen. Went straight to video because it was thought, rightly, that the American public couldn't take it. Not for the faint of heart, but if you watch, you will never forget it. And the issues it raises both personally and politically for our country today are terrible and complex. Samuel L. Jackson., Michael Sheen and Carrie-Anne Moss have never been better. Extremely violent but not a moment is gratuitous. Look through your fingers, look away but do not give up on this film. There is an extended version, 90 seconds longer at the end. Don't watch that one, or at least watch the "regular" version first.

What can I say? I'd heard nothing about this film until I had a look at some reviews on here, sounded like something which might be my cup of tea and had a decent cast......what a good film.

I have no idea why people have watched this and called it propaganda - it's a film! Granted, the subject matter is realistic and presents a scenario which could have already happened or could happen in the future. The film is very clever for this reason as it makes you ask yourself (or whoever you are viewing with) lots of questions. What would you deem as moral/acceptable? How far would you go to save the lives of thousands? Should we be governed by laws when dealing with people who have none?

Anyway....I'm not entering the debate but, for the fact this film gets you thinking and asking questions, it's a cleverly scripted film. It's also a tense and thrilling ride as you watch the events play out.

The cast all do a fine job with their parts and the direction is very good. Yes the film has some brutal scenes but it's all part and parcel to draw you in.

It's not often nowadays that you watch a film and have to think afterwards to fully appreciate the fact that you've just been entertained and watched something good....and that's what 'Unthinkable' manages to do.

Regardless of what film genre you're in to, this is definitely worth a look if you appreciate good cinema.

How much do we value our freedom? When faced with exceptional circumstances, how far will we go to ascertain the truth, to secure safety? To ensure national security? "Unthinkable" is a problematic movie, in that it gives no clear answers. The premise may be slightly extreme, if we consider what H (Samuel L. Jackson) gets up to, but then again, with some rationalizing we easily reach the conclusion that we simply don't know just how far America has gone in the legal torture business.

We do not intend to point the finger at America in particular. This applies to any and everyone. Faced with extenuating circumstances, what would we do? Make no mistake, ladies and gentlemen. "Unthinkable" is a very current, undebatably intense uneasy ride down a steep, winding and twisting tunnel.

In the end we are left with nothing. It is up to us to decide what is our moral charter.

Well worth your while. 8/10

Carrie-Anne Moss represents the average citizen watching this movie, having a facade of superior human rights beliefs (that we tend to have in western countries) that gradually get whittled away as the situation in the movie get more desperate.

How far are we really willing to go to save millions of people? When the entire country is at stake, how far is the US really willing to go with dealing with terrorists? We can claim our governments are moral and upholding human rights, but at the end of the day, the government can do whatever it wants. It doesn't need your approval, and it will do what it believes is required for self-preservation. This movie flaunts that idea.

Unthinkable has excellent mind-play and dialogue that really gets you thinking and challenges what we really believe about human rights.

'Unthinkable (2010)' is, essentially, a morality play, a bleak exploration of the effectiveness and - more importantly - ethics of torture. Its themes are rather interesting and it stirs up a lot of interesting questions. How do you weigh one life against another? How far will you go to protect the innocent? If you have to cross the very line that defines you - as an organisation, a nation, a human being - to do it, where does that leave you? Are you better than that which you fight? There are no easy answers. It's all very intriguing and, in effect, rather grim. The ending (extended from its initial finishing point) signifies the flick's brutal overall outlook. It's an engaging experience but it takes a while to get going and is, on occasion, a tad 'schlocky'. It's never quite as compelling as its premise, despite its solid performances and generally good writing. Still, it's a solid affair that should get you thinking. That's not something that can be said about a lot of similar stuff. 6/10