REVIEW: Must watch 'A Mighty Heart'

What is the film about:

Produced by Brad Pitt, the film (releasing on October 26) is an adaptation of the best-selling book, A Mighty Heart, by Mariane Pearl, that chronicles the life and death of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. The Pearls had been to Pakistan in the wake of the Afghanistan war, and had stayed back to report on the terror network in the region and its impact, when Daniel was kidnapped by suspected Al Qaeda terrorists.

Mariane, who was five months pregnant at that time, became an international icon overnight, when she faced the world and her husband's kidnappers on TV, appealing for his freedom. Mariane's strength in the face of mounting personal crisis and the amazing resolve she displayed endeared her to the world, turning her into a symbol of hope against terror, the voice of reason and compassion in the din of war.

Daniel Pearl was beheaded by his kidnappers, his body cut up into ten pieces, the tapes of the heinous act delivered to the international media.

The film stars Angelina Jolie as Mariane and Dan Futterman as Daniel. And of course, there is Irfan Khan, aka 'Captain' a Pakistani CID agent who is investigating the case.

What we liked about the film:

Angelina Jolie's performance. In the wake of the project Jolie had struck up a rapport with Mariane Pearl. They shared a bond which only mothers can share, as they have both confessed in many interviews. And it shows. Mariane's deep anguish, her determined effort to keep her faith in life, and to dig into her reserves of strength and compassion are well articulated.

It is Jolie's film out and out, as it is Mariane's personal account. Irrfan Khan has very few lines, but his presence is amazing. As the sympathetic and sincere officer on duty, he exudes a certain confidence and communicates his concern for the pregnant Mariane through small acts of kindness. Even on screen, his presence is reassuring.

At the end, when news of Daniel's murder is conveyed to Mariane, her gut wrenching cries ricochet against the mute walls and come to haunt us. There is something extremely primeval about that cry, which is heard again when she is in labour, delivering her son Adam.

What we didn't like:

Snap shots of Karachi, and other cities of Pakistan, which seem to be badly shot and play up the stereotype. It is too much of a white man's vision of a third world city: the slums and animals, the crows, cows and minarets, the incredulous security guards and shabby hotel rooms… they could have at least been shot a little more imaginatively. Agreed the film is not meant to be a work of art, but could they not avoid the clichés, please?

Our verdict: If Daniel Pearl's was a story that needed to be told, as inhabitants of a terrorised world, it is our duty to give it a hearing.

Rating: 4/ 5