A Mighty Heart (2007)

Directed by: Michael Winterbottom | 100 minutes | drama, thriller, history | Actors: Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman, Archie Panjabi, Mohammed Afzal, Mushtaq Khan, Daud Khan, Telal Saeed, Arif Khan, Denis O’Hare, Perrine Moran, Jeffry Kaplow, Ishaque Ahmed, Aly Khan, Irfan Khan, Jean-Jacques Scaerou , Zachary Coffin, Jillian Armenante

When Mariane Pearl (Angelina Jolie) first learns that her husband Daniel (Dan Fetterman) has been killed by terrorists in ‘A Mighty Heart’, she flees to the bathroom and breaks out into a bone-chilling fit of crying, constantly screaming and “no! ” calling. The viewer, like the investigative team outside the bathroom door, listens in defeat. What a shock to have to experience this. However, it is, if possible, not even the most poignant scene in the film. That honor goes to a scene that is very low-key. This moment happens when Mariane is eating dinner with the whole team and, despite the horrific outcome, wants to thank everyone for their help. For a moment she visibly struggles to hold back her tears, but her statement is firm: they have not failed, because the terrorists have failed to create fear in their opponents, their very goal. Mariane is not afraid, and no one at the table is afraid, so the terrorists lost.

It is precisely this scene of clarity and moral strength that almost makes the viewer burst into tears, precisely because you know what emotions lie beneath the surface, and how charged the atmosphere is at the table. A beautiful scene, superbly acted by Jolie, and typical of the character of Mariane Pearl, who wants to let the rational, journalistic values ​​​​of herself and her husband prevail and refuses to give in to feelings of fear and hatred.

It’s an admirable attitude. If even she is able to keep things in perspective and not fall into a negative spiral, there is no excuse for political leaders to fall into blind rhetoric. Another scene that beautifully shows her principles and reasonableness is that of the television interview she gives after her husband’s murder. Mariane is constantly challenged by the interviewer to lump together and demonize Pakistanis. However, she refuses to say anything bad about an entire country or people. She argues that wherever there is misery, terrorists will find people willing(er) to work with. And misery is everywhere in the world.

Although we are often accustomed to her in film, this is, from a personal point of view, an ideal role for Angelina Jolie, who as Goodwill Ambassador of the UNHCR (the United Nations department that stands up for refugees) has shown quite a bit socio-politically. to be committed. For once, this isn’t a role that exploits her status as the sexiest movie star, but a meaningful role in a true drama. No sultry-looking Lara Croft or Mrs Smith in romping suits, but a serious role that Jolie can sink her teeth into and show off her dramatic acting skills. Together with the award-winning roles in ‘Gía’ and ‘Girl, Interrupted’, it immediately became one of her best acting performances ever. It seems a difficult task to separate the image of superstar Jolie from the (gossip) magazines and her sexy movies from her character in this (and any other) movie, but the actress succeeds wonderfully. Jolie’s “star power” disappears completely into the background and she manages to become completely one with her character, including a surprisingly convincing French accent. Her performance is subdued and passionate, often with subtle forms such as a facial expression, an intonation, or a short but fierce dialogue that communicate her thoughts.

Jolie is very important in binding the viewer to the story, of which her character is the emotional anchor, but director Winterbottom also deserves a lot of credit for the way in which he has managed to keep this well-known and simple story exciting and interesting. Even though as a viewer you know exactly how it will end, you are continuously carried away by the events in the film and hope, against your better judgment, that they will find Daniel in time. The threat created before Daniel has his meeting is palpable. Several people insist that it will probably all go smoothly if he meets in a public place. Even the cool Daniel is going to feel a bit uneasy about this. In addition to leading actress Jolie, the rest of the cast is certainly adequate. Relatively unknown actor Dan Fetterman not only bears a strong resemblance to his character Daniel Pearl, he is also a good choice for the role of righteous and tenacious journalist who will be the center of a political joust and all the personal drama surrounding it. Irfan Khan, the versatile Bollywood actor, once again gives a fine dramatic performance as a Pakistani police officer, just like in Mira Nair’s ‘The Namesake’.

Like ‘The Road to Guantánamo’, Winterbottom’s 2006 film, ‘A Mighty Heart’ is a politically engaged film about (political) world problems that arose as a result of the attacks in New York on September 11, 2001. This film is chronologically and politically in line with Winterbottom’s latest film, as the kidnapping of Daniel Pearl is retaliation for the treatment of the (largely innocent) political prisoners in Cuba’s Guantánamo Bay. The terrorists’ first report states that Daniel is being held in deplorable, inhumane conditions, similar to the inhumane treatment of Guantánamo detainees. Their demand, by no means unreasonable in itself (as the viewer has been able to see in Winterbottom’s film) is that the situation in Cuba improves. Actual responses from Bush and Colin Powell show that America has no intention of responding to the terrorists’ demands and also state that the prisoners are indeed being treated well.

The former point is understandable, but the latter will make some viewers roll their eyes. Terrorists are non-negotiable and what they have done to Daniel Pearl is disgusting, but their political indictment is a legitimate one. A point that Winterbottom only touches in the margins, but also fits into the philosophy of Mariane and Daniel Pearl themselves. The point that despite everything you should maintain a reasonable and broad view when looking at such potentially very emotionally charged subjects. Judea Pearl, Daniel’s father, created a foundation after the murder, in the name of their son, to promote understanding between East and West through journalism, music, and dialogue. A better tribute to Daniel is hard to imagine. And Winterbottom’s ‘A Mighty Heart’ is the ideal memory.