Actor/producer/director Sydney Pollock shows us once again how a little piece of convincing drama can go a long way in putting together a movie. He takes an otherwise nugatory story-line, of an assassination plot against a visiting African dignitary to the UN, and an implausible set of characters, and yet, carefully crafts together a thriller that ends up being quite riveting. Along the way he also manages to make a point or two of topical interest related to the genocide(s) in Africa and the need for non-violent means of reform. The message of peace is rather eloquently brought out in the climax, through how Nicole Kidman’s character finds herself in a conundrum of sorts, faced with a choice between respecting the African tradition of forgiveness she so espouses and the desire for revenge - a la Arjun of Mahabharath, only in a diametrically opposite way, being asked to shun arms.
The camera work is very crisp, and takes full advantage of interludes in the drama to wander off unobtrusively to show the magnificent skyline of Manhattan, including a straight top down night-time view of the buildings and streets. The background score comes with the right balance and timing and makes the drama that much more compelling. The dialog while smart and zesty for the most part, do stretch out here and there painfully, just to incorporate a wise (and predictable) crack.
Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn vie for acting honors with Kidman coming on top, if ony for how un-Nicole’ish the role is and yet how convincing her performance is. Sydney Pollock’s cameo appearance has the right innocuous touch to it.
A highly engaging and crisp movie overall, inspite of the ’much ado about nothing’ texture it comes with.