|
Film Review
'Traitor' underscores need for 'moral rulebook'
In the emerging genre of terrorism-focused films, “Traitor” (Overture Films) is not groundbreaking or even especially remarkable.
It is, however, a decent quality film with terrific acting by the lead, Don Cheadle, and a thoughtful message to top it off. Not original or impressive, but interesting enough to engage the audience.
“Traitor” is less about the predictable plot that plods along and more about what lies within the hearts of the people fighting with and against terrorism today.
Samir Horn, played by Cheadle, is a Sudanese man who grew up in the United States, joined the Army and then became involved with the terrorist organizations he was initially fighting against. The film opens with Samir entering a Yemen jail filled with terrorists.
While there he wins the respect and trust of Omar, one of the leaders of a terrorist faction, played by Saïd Taghmaoui. Outside of prison, Samir joins Omar in training future terrorists. The name of the film is “Traitor” and thus it is obvious that Samir’s true loyalty — to terrorists or his U.S. roots — is constantly in question.
Meanwhile, in the United States, members of the FBI are trying to catch Samir whom they believe is connected to a major ringleader of a terrorist group planning an attack on American soil. As Samir moves forward in his work with the terrorist group, the FBI agents pursuing him are never far behind.
Throughout the film, when dealing with both FBI and terrorist characters, the defining trait of Samir is his devotion to the true tenets of Islamic faith. The true nature of Islam is not just an underlying message, it the heart of the film. Samir continually corrects the behaviors and theology of his Muslim brothers and challenges their interpretations of passages in the Quran.
The film’s message is not veiled. Its purpose is primarily to show Islam as a religion of peace and that those who use its teachings to justify terrorism pervert its true nature. Although this is a valuable message, it does not make for an excellent film.
The most impressive message presented is the commitment Cheadle’s character has to the sanctity of all human life. A devout Muslim, Samir stresses that even those lives taken in war or in the name of a just cause are still precious.
He serves as the moral center in both the presented world of the FBI fighting terrorism at any cost and the terrorist organization itself. The justification for jihad is often challenged by Cheadle’s character as he demands the taking of responsibility for the end of every life, taken directly or indirectly.
Although he understands why war is sometimes necessary, it is clear that he bears the guilt of each of those lost lives. He claims he can never be cleared of the acts he has committed even if many see them as noble.
Samir uses Islamic-based theology to explain what is also a deeply Christian message — that every life is sacred and precious. He is not willing to justify inadvertently taking innocent lives nor the lives of evil men.
It seems Samir truly understands the nature of peace as it is taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church — as a reality that requires the love of all people, good and evil.
“Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity,” according to the Catechism (2304).
True peace will never come without mutual respect and honor. That is the film’s most effective message. Both sides of this war are cast in an unflattering light that reveals a willingness to sacrifice anything to win.
While the fight against terrorism is noble and important, it is clear that in any war, when one throws out a moral rulebook — as do the fictional FBI characters — it becomes an ethically problematic battleground.
Yet without Cheadle’s strong performance, “Traitor” would hardly be worth watching. The strong and passionate performance of a spectacular actor makes what is generally a bland film credible.
The film takes a serious look at the way in which both the aggressor and the defender are fighting this international battle. It is a thoughtful, but ultimately unsatisfying film that leaves the viewer thinking about the nature of terrorism.
Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun. Comments are welcome. Send e-mail to letters@catholicsun.org.
|
