The Mauritanian

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7.5/10
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Tahar Rahim in The Mauritanian (2021)
Directed by Kevin Macdonald and based on the NY Times best-selling memoir "GuantánamoDiary" by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, this is inspiring the true story of Slahi's fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years. Alone and afraid, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the U.S. government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up.
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Mohamedou Ould Slahi fights for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years.Mohamedou Ould Slahi fights for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years.Mohamedou Ould Slahi fights for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the U.S. Government for years.

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    Featured reviews

    At the film's core is outrage

    This is a difficult movie to watch or write a review on. At the core is outrage. Those who don't want to believe that such outrageous things could be done by their beloved country and those entrusted with its values and justice will deny its assertions to protect the vision they hold as sacred. Others will raise their fist and proclaim they fight for the right of those abused and violated. Both sides will claim they know the truth. I am not surprised by man's inhumanity. Indeed, my faith calls it original sin. The difference being, I believe we are all capable of it. But my faith also believes in deliverance and hope, responsibility and the power of redemption. This film does a remarkable job of representing this man's story. The performances are flawless. The storytelling is compelling. The warning is important. For those reasons, I give this film an 8 (well told) out of 10. {Drama}

    Guilty Until Proven Innocent...

    ... but even then you're still guilty, because somebody has to pay, so it might as well be you! If it wasn't for people like Nancy Hollander we wouldn't have the outstanding Tahar Rahim to thank for portraying, through an award worthy performance, the unbelievable injustices endured by Mohamedou Ould Slahi. Unlocking some of the not so secret secrets behind the incarceration of the innocent, the torture and torment of the unfortunate, the proximity in time and space to a place you probably call home reinforcing the impact of lessons seldom learnt and the overwhelming ignorance of those entrusted to protect us when given carte blanche to do so.

    My heart is very heavy

    This is a very very powerful film, that brings a very dark page of history to light. My heart is so heavy from the horror I saw. When the credits rolled, I didn't want to stop the film. I'm amazed by how he keeps his positivity, or even the will to live through years of darkness.

    Sad but true story about Guantanamo Bay.

    I think The Mauritanian gives a very insightful look at the extent governments will go to coverup how the treat prisoners. Here in the United States and other countries around the world. Doing all that can be done to get false witness against anyone.The end does not justify the means, which is something brought to light in this movie. This is a true story from the story told in the book Guantánamo Diary, written by Mohamedou Ould Slahi. It tells of his experiences in Guantanamo Bay.Maybe one day we will learn to treat each others as humans and respect deserved until the facts are proven.

    Sobering

    After 9/11, the USA caused Mohamedou Ould Slahi to be removed from his homeland and transported to the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, where he was kept for 14 years and two months, undergoing extreme forms of interrogation (amounting to torture), then was eventually released, never having been charged with any crime due to lack of firm evidence.

    Now read that again:-After 9/11, the USA caused Mohamedou Ould Slahi to be removed from his homeland and transported to the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, where he was kept for 14 years and two months, undergoing extreme forms of interrogation (amounting to torture), then was eventually released, never having been charged with any crime due to lack of firm evidence.

    How much impression did reading that make on your emotions? I guess not a great deal.

    Now go and see this movie to help you imagine what it must have been like. Whether or not it's a true reflection of both sides of opinion, it's a sobering watch. Sometimes, the written word just isn't enough - thank heaven for good movies.

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    Did you know

    • Trivia
      DetaineeMohamedou Ould Slahi (of the film's title) has stated that his treatment in Guantanamo was much more brutal and inhumane than portrayed in this movie.
    • Goofs
      In the confrontation scene in the Pentagon parking lot between Benedict Cumberbatch's character and a US Marine Corps colonel both officers are wearing the large shoulder rank insignia on their garrison covers (hat) instead of the correct size smaller collar rank insignia.
    • Quotes

      Nancy Hollander: Well, when I defended someone charged with rape, nobody called me a rapist. When I defended someone charged with murder, nobody dug around my backyard. But when someone is accused of terrorism, people like you seem to think that that's different. It's not. When I stand by my client and I insist that he get a fair hearing, I'm not just defending him, I'm defending you and me. The constitution doesn't have an asterisk at the end that says : "Terms and conditions apply."

    • Crazy credits
      Just before the end credits, there are title cards updating events and lives of principle characters. These are immediately followed by the credits and clips of Mohamedou Slahi speaking, ending with him listening to "The Man in Me" by Bob Dylan, which takes us to the outro, and end.
    • Soundtracks
      Makam Vaghou
      Written and Performed by Noura Mint Seymali

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    Details

    Box office

    • Budget
      • $14,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $836,536
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $163,789
      • Feb 14, 2021
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,527,030

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