(RE-POSTING from 8/30/08)

Here’s a movie to keep on a short list for Academy Award considerations… This intense story of international espionage and counter-terrorism is full of twists and intrigue… and with a solid cast of actors – it should be your first choice of the new movies to see this weekend !!!

“Traitor”

(2008) (rated: PG-13 for intense violent sequences, thematic material and brief language ) (1 hr, 54 min)

Starring: Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Said Taghmaoui, Neal McDonough, Jeff Daniels

Genre: Drama/Thriller

The Plot: When straight arrow FBI agent Roy Clayton (Pearce) heads up the investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy, all clues seem to lead back to former U.S. Special Operations officer, Samir Horn (Cheadle).

MY TAKE (spoiler free):

Don Cheadle is a very good actor. No seriously, think about the characters he’s played… a Brit in the “Ocean’s Eleven” movies, an old roomate of Adam Sandler’s in “Reign Over Me”, Henri Moore in “After the Sunset”, an Oscar nomination for Best Actor as a hotel manager in “Hotel Rwanda”, a police detective in “Crash”, and small, but great roles in ”Swordfish” and “Traffic”.

“Traitor” doesn’t take long to get going… and as its set in the current climate of U.S. fears of middle east terrorism and potential racial-profiling… the movie’s very real tension is palpable.   The story has a nice mix of pacing, going from chaotic and fast at times, to slow and methodical at others.  

Cheadle totally immerses himself in the character… making everything he does on screen seem flawless… like his career Cheadle’s on screen character “Samir” is a chameleon… easily switching from speaking english to speaking what I have to assume is arabic.   His character, as the tagline for the movie promises, “is complicated”… you understand his inner struggles with violence and loyalty… and the audience never really totally knows what side he’s working for until the end.

Cheadle’s on-screen support is solid: Said Taghmaoui shines as one of the terrorists, Guy Pearce pulls off the tough-but-smart FBI agent, while Jeff Daniels is cool as an intelligence operative and solid journeyman actor Neal McDonough fits well into a familiar role as the tough-talking bad cop.

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

Although it opened on Wednesday, and may not be #1 at the box office…. this is my pick for the new movie to see this week… I give it 7.5 out of 10…. and I really think that Cheadle could get some consideration from the Academy Awards for a Best Actor nomination, and the editing/cinematography could get some consideration too !!!

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

“Traitor” poster courtesy Overture Films

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