Factually accurate it probably is, but entertaining it certainly is not. Dealing with the true story of the kidnapping of an American journalist in Pakistan in 2002, this film feels as though it was written and directed by one of his journalist colleagues. Lost in a myriad of names, figures, faces and places, and with fastidious factual coherence, this film has all the ingredients of, and would have been better as, a one hour documentary.
The fundamental essentials of good cinema are simply absent. That is: an engaging story, with some intrigue and suspense; believable characters; put together in a package which moves us in some way, be it thoughtful introspection, laugher, tears, joy or sadness. This film does none of these.
Half of the film shows shots of the crowded, bustling streets of Karachi from inside a car as, time and again, it criss-crosses the city. For the other half we watch and listen as the latest developments in the search for Mr Pearl are discussed by all involved parties around the table at their house. Yawn.
The relation ship between Mrs and Mrs Pearl is not developed at all, save for a few scenes from their marriage, thrown in at the end, as an afterthought. We are given no chance to empathise with any of the characters due to the atrocious editing. The camera shots change every 3 seconds, in what amounts to a crude and irritating attempt to introduce some pace into a lethargic, uninteresting scenario As a journalistic representation of events, it succeeds admirably. As a feature film it fails dismally.
The fundamental essentials of good cinema are simply absent. That is: an engaging story, with some intrigue and suspense; believable characters; put together in a package which moves us in some way, be it thoughtful introspection, laugher, tears, joy or sadness. This film does none of these.
Half of the film shows shots of the crowded, bustling streets of Karachi from inside a car as, time and again, it criss-crosses the city. For the other half we watch and listen as the latest developments in the search for Mr Pearl are discussed by all involved parties around the table at their house. Yawn.
The relation ship between Mrs and Mrs Pearl is not developed at all, save for a few scenes from their marriage, thrown in at the end, as an afterthought. We are given no chance to empathise with any of the characters due to the atrocious editing. The camera shots change every 3 seconds, in what amounts to a crude and irritating attempt to introduce some pace into a lethargic, uninteresting scenario As a journalistic representation of events, it succeeds admirably. As a feature film it fails dismally.