The Report

— “The Report” is a low-key, slowly building depiction of Daniel J. Jones’ 5-year, post-911 investigative efforts after Senator Diane Feinstein put him in charge of a Senate Intelligence Committee to evaluate the implementation of Enhanced Interrogation Techniques. What evolves is an interesting look at the questions of ends justifying means, at the pressures elected politicians face, at the line whistleblowers walk between patriot and traitor, at the dangers inherent in losing control, at the value of separation of powers, and at the responsibility of government to exemplify the nation’s values. The film lacks some pizzazz, and there are scenes depicting torture that, while brief, are still difficult to accept. It ends, not exactly with a patriotic flourish, and not exactly with the resolution we might want, but more softly and probably with a more realistic reveal. The film has it’s flaws, but Adam Driver does a fine job at Jones and Annette Bening does an outstanding job as Feinstein. I watched on a snowy day and it was a fine way to avoid the weather. [Amazon Prime streaming.]

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[2019. 119 min. Written and directed by Scott Z. Burns. Starring Adam Driver, Annette Bening, and Jon Hamm.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-report-movie-review-2019