Rendition

Watch Rendition

"What if someone you love... just disappeared?"
  • R
  • 2007
  • 2 hr 2 min
  • 6.8  (58,523)
  • 55

Rendition is a 2007 thriller film directed by Gavin Hood and starring Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Peter Sarsgaard. The film focuses on the controversial American practice of extraordinary rendition, where suspected terrorists are sent for interrogation to countries that do not follow the same legal procedures as the United States.

The story revolves around Anwar El-Ibrahimi, an Egyptian-born chemical engineer who is a legal resident of the United States. While returning from a conference in South Africa, he is detained by the CIA at the airport and transported to a North African country for interrogation. His pregnant wife Isabella, played by Reese Witherspoon, seeks the help of a CIA analyst Douglas Freeman, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, to find out what happened to her husband.

As Isabella learns more about Anwar's disappearance and the US government's involvement in his rendition, she becomes increasingly frustrated and desperate to find him. Meanwhile, Douglas begins to question his own agency's actions and starts to see the impact of their policies on innocent people like Anwar.

The film features a strong cast and powerful performances, particularly from Witherspoon and Gyllenhaal. Peter Sarsgaard also gives a great performance as Isabella's friend and aide, who has his own motivations for helping her. The screenplay by Kelley Sane is well-written, with strong character development and tension-filled scenes that keep the audience engaged throughout.

The film features several interwoven storylines, including Anwar's ordeal in the Middle East, the CIA's operations in the region, and the personal lives of the characters involved. The complexity of the story is handled well, with the viewer given enough information to understand what is happening without being overwhelmed by too many details.

The film also raises important questions about the United States' use of torture and extraordinary rendition in the fight against terrorism. The moral ambiguity of the situation is explored through the characters' reactions and the consequences of their actions. The film never fully takes a stance on the issue, but rather leaves the audience to draw their own conclusions.

One of the film's most impressive aspects is its visual style. The cinematography by Dion Beebe is stunning, capturing the gritty reality of the interrogation scenes and the beauty of the South African landscape. The editing by Megan Gill is also noteworthy, seamlessly weaving together the various storylines and keeping the pacing tight.

Overall, Rendition is an engaging and thought-provoking thriller that tackles complex political issues without being heavy-handed or preachy. The strong performances, intelligent writing, and impressive direction make this a film that is both entertaining and impactful.

Rendition is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 55.

Rendition
Description
Where to Watch Rendition
Rendition is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Rendition for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2007
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    2 hr 2 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (58,523)
  • Metascore
    55