The Report (2019)

Scott Z. Burns presents a difficult film, in the narrative as in the subject it raises. Throughout 2 hours we are told how Dan Jones prepared, defended and fought to publish his report of more than 7 thousand pages.

To be as faithful to the original story, Burns presents us with an immense amount of names, dates, and situations that may not be very familiar to the public other than the American, yet the essence of the film is to be a shout against of torture and methods of coercion by governments.

Adam Driver who carries the full weight of the film gives us a remarkable and very convincing performance through which we can fully identify with the subject in question.

It is not an easy movie because the amount of information on which it is based asks the viewer for finer attention, however, Burns manages to move forward and bring the story to a bright and hoping conclusion.

Fmovies: I followed this story closely when it was current. It interested me so much because, as a grad student in Psychology in the '60s, I often thought that some of my colleagues would have jumped happily at the chance to become monsters like Mitchell and Jessen. That said, I have reservations about seeing this story as a dramatic film with major stars. The same dialogue that so skillfully at least touches upon every relevant point, comes off as somewhat artificial. We, the public, are not accustomed to such fidelity to the facts in a dramatic film. Hence, the lessons are too easy to dismiss. (For similar reasons, I preferred the recent RBG documentary to ON THE BASIS OF SEX.) A related development just outside the scope of this film is the gyrations within the AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION caused by the "enhanced interrogation" scandal. Its ethical code was so vague that Mitchell and Jessen arguably had not violated it. Apparently, psychologists were available for dirty work physicians could not do because of the Hippocratic Oath.

'The Report' couldn't get made at a better time. With everything happening in today's American and global political climate, it shows how little the general public actually is allowed to know about whatever happens within the borders of their government buildings. An entire country is at stake when secrets come out, that shouldn't have been secrets in the first place when laws get executed correctly.

Idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver), gets tasked by his boss, Senator of California Diane Feinstein (Annette Bening), to lead an investigation into the CIA's post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program. Jones' relentless pursuit of the truth leads to findings that uncover the lengths to which the nation's top intelligence agency went to destroy evidence, subvert the law, and hide a shocking secret from the American public.

Scott Z. Burns hasn't directed a feature length film since 2006's 'Pu-239'. Having previously written films such as, 'The Laundromat', 'Side Effects' and 'Contagion', it seems he has a very good work relationship with this films' producer Steven Soderbergh (director of last named films). With 'The Report' he knows what he's going for and doesn't hold back on any occasion. The story goes off like a missile, and only slows down when hitting its target at the finish line. That might be a challenge for some viewers, but the suspense throughout the second and third act is rare and delivers what political polymaths are looking for. To those who aren't particularly interested in politics and cover-ups, this might be a tough one to sit through.

Adam Driver, is truly on a roll these last couple of years. With two more films on the horizon in the last two months of 2019 ('Marriage Story' and 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'), it seems there's no stopping him in becoming one of the most talented actors of this generation. He shows just how focused and career driven he is as his character Daniel J. Jones. He's unsurpassed and will definitely get recognition for his hard work coming awards season.

What plays like a political 'Social Network', could've benefited from a rewrite by Aaron Sorkin, just to streamline it a bit more. The dialogues are heavy and littered with dark humour, but without any real character development, it misses the opportunity to make the audience connect with anyone on a deeper level. You never get to look behind the suits into their homes. The mental struggles of being accused of whistleblowing and torturing people, must take its toll on politicians and CIA-agents, no? We get little hints at their personal lives when being interrogated by government officials, but this is all just small talk. It does go without saying, Greg O'Bryant deserves much praise for editing this film. I wonder how long the rough cut must've been.

There's a wide range of well known actors passing by as fundamental characters in the big scheme of things. Annette Bening, brilliant actor taking on the full look and characteristics of Senator Feinstein, doesn't have many explosive scenes to wow, but is subtly captivating. Corey Stoll, Jon Hamm, Maura Tierney and Michael C. Hall all have important parts to keep things moving, but with the little amount of screen time fail to impress with anything more than acceptable.

Burns' 'The Report' is an important watch, delivering facts in a striking manner. It's

The Report fmovies. It took Senate staffer Daniel Jones seven years to compile the 6,700-page report that brought this and other failings to light - a laborious process unpicked by writer/director Scott Z. Burns (whose script credits include The Bourne Ultimatum and No Time To Die) in a talky yet engrossing drama intentionally reminiscent of All The President's Men. Tasked by Senator Dianne Feinstein (a coolly commanding Annette Bening) with leaving no stone unturned, Jones - infused here with simmering indignation by a driven Adam Driver - systematically details the brutalities inflicted on all of the Agency's 119 detainees. Having assembled his torture dossier, though, Jones faces another uphill struggle to get it published. As Matthew Rhys' reporter ruefully observes, "they sent you off to build a boat they had no intention of sailing." As vessels go, The Report is one so overloaded with names, dates, flashbacks and acronyms it's a wonder it stays afloat. That it does should be attributed not just to the dogged conviction Driver exudes as its righteous hero but also to the film's unshakeable belief that the ugly truth will ultimately out. Burns' film is not an easy watch, not least when it depicts what took place in Langley's infamous "black sites". Like the harrowing data that inspired it, though, it defies redaction.

The acting was amazing! It had me yelling at the tv which of course means, they nailed it. Great editing as well!

Straight to the point , no nonsense true story. Adam Driver is 10/10 and deserves every accolade.

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