Film Review: A Mighty Heart

By: Danielle | in: Movies |

A Mighty Heart

The recently released A Mighty Heart is definitely the odd man out for a blockbuster summer release here in the U.S. as everyone is running out to see Transformers, Live Free or Die Hard, Harry Potter, and the like. Heart is quite a bit more on the serious side but I don’t think numbers and figures are the end all, be all of this film. There’s a greater message and story here. It follows the events surrounding the true story of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl – his kidnapping and ultimate murder at the hands of terrorists in January, 2002 at the height of post September 11th chaos in Karachi, Pakistan.

The film is based on the memoir – A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Danny Pearl written by Daniel Pearl’s wife, Mariane. The film doesn’t take any liberties in stretching the boundaries of creative freedom with a tongue-in cheek, “based on a true story”. Perhaps out of respect for the journalistic careers of both Daniel and Mariane Pearl. It speaks for itself. You can’t really go changing the ending on this one, no matter how much you hope that the outcome, through some miracle of Hollywood filmmaking magic is reversed.
For me, the art of capturing the intensity of that harrowing five week time frame, on all fronts, in a cinematic way was the real kicker. After all, time is of the essence and in so many instances it either makes, or breaks the film.

A Mighty Heart

To manage this director, Michael Winterbottom intermixed excruciating periods of waiting with sheer franticness – I thought effectively balancing those highs and lows through the score, lingering camera shots, location shots, and repeated motifs. One motif was of a toddler playing with his toys as the adults surrounding him were in a constant state of movement – a quiet reminder yet strong visualization of a well thought motif for showing this subtle, innocent contradiction that life still goes on. To take it even further, it could reflect how some of us are oblivious to our surroundings or “removed from the chaos” (perhaps like us in America?). Maybe at times we find ourselves slightly detached?
For such an intricate web of events and characters, the film also eases the task of following along by making sure we knew who was who by literally mapping out in organizational chart style all of the players involved, as an element of the story so you feel as if you’re part of the investigation. The casting seemed right on with pointed performances by Irfan Khan as the Captain, Archie Panjabi as Asra Nomani, and a rather lesser known actor, Dan Futterman playing Daniel Pearl, who on a side note also happened write the screenplay for Capote. Credit must also be given to the composers with original music by Harry Escott and Molly Nyman.

A Mighty Heart

Now whether the casting of Angelina Jolie as Mariane Pearl was appropriate seems up to interpretation. A friend immediately discarded the film and was put off since Angelina Jolie was playing the lead role. Separating the overly publicized celebrity persona of Ms. Jolie and being able to take the film seriously were a contradiction. I know what my friend meant but I have to say that is unfortunate in this case, for me it wasn’t an issue. After all that very persona I thought helped and was perfect for this film and the related story of press, media, and the consequences for better, or worse that come with the territory. I think she had a lot to bring to the table, and everything fed off one another in a pretty seamless way for the most part.

The question is who can really foretell how you would respond if put in the exact same situation? I imagine you just have to keep doing what you know how to do. It seems Mariane Pearl did just that by writing her memoir. I know I can’t remember exactly what I was doing on January 23, 2002. But I’m sure that day will resonate in her for the rest of her life. So yes, go overdose on summer blockbuster mania but don’t discard A Mighty Heart as a future rental – it’s bigger than life too.

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Posted on July 21, 2007

Comments

3 Responses to “Film Review: A Mighty Heart”

Ryan of the RSL Music Blog on July 21st, 2007 8:16 am

Review notwithstanding - I applaud the efforts of Mariane Pearl to sue the governments and banks in international civil court which she believes to have colluded and funded the kidnappers and terrorists linked to her husband’s death. The move is meant to provide visibility and, ultimately, a level of education.

Atom Sounds on July 22nd, 2007 1:39 pm

I wonder if this will get a UK release or go straight to DVD!

Charbarred on July 22nd, 2007 3:57 pm

Michael Winterbottom is a celebrated Brit director, so I’m guessing it has a chance. (It’s the Baseball movies that usually go direct to DVD)