Rosewater

While reporting for Newsweek Magazine during the 2009 Iranian elections Maziar Bahari (Gael García Bernal), an Iranian-Canadian journalist, was detained by Iranian police forces and brutally interrogated on the suspicion that he was in fact a western spy. Stolen hope and stolen time, the mental games he would endure might break an ordinary individual; but, inspired by his father’s story, Baba Akbar (Haluk Bilginer), Maziar would find the strength to go on. Making matters worse, international support for Maziar would drive the same Iranian forces to new acts of desperation, the whole game could end in shambles, or could it?rosewater Based on actual events, directed by and adapted screenplay by political satirist Jon Stewart, Rosewater in fact takes a somber and accurate look at the very real issue of reporter safety in foreign countries. Strong acting from the ensemble makes for a believable watch; and, semi-documentary styling cinematography blends nicely with the overall biopic storytelling. Sadly, at its conclusion, the overall gravity of the film doesn’t seem to pull the viewer into much of a call to action, and, while interesting, isn’t as compelling as one might hope. Still, a formidable freshman attempt, perhaps worthy of a matinee or rental, Rosewater is rated R.