Would you support the use of torture when millions of lives are at stake? This is the question that “Unthinkable” wants the viewer to think about.  Violent, thought-provoking film and controversial in nature but definitely a film worth watching! Featuring a thrilling performance by Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Sheen!
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TITLE: Unthinkable
DURATION: 97 minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Color, 1:85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH
RATED: R (For Strong Bloody Violence, Torture and Language)
COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Released Dated: June 15, 2010
Directed by Gregor Jordan
Written by Peter Woodward
Executive Producer: Vince Cirrincione, Rachel Rose
Producer: Caldecot Chubb, Vanessa Coifman, Bill Perkins, Marco Weber
Line Producer: Samson Mucke
Music by Graeme Revell
Cinematography by Oliver Stapleton
Edited by Scott Chestnut
Casting by John Papsidera
Production Design by Steven Jones-Evans
Art Direction by Nick Ralbovsky
Costume Design by Danielle Hollowell
Starring:
Samuel L. Jackson as Henry Herald “H” Humphries
Carrie-Anne Moss as Agent Helen Brody
Michael Sheen as Steven Arthur Younger
Stephen Root as Charlie Thompson
Lora Kojovic
Martin Donovan as Assistant Director Jack Saunders
Gil Bellows as Agent Vincent
Vincent Laresca as Agent Leandro
Brandon Routh as Agent Jackson
Joshua Harto as Agent Phillips
Holmes Osborne as General Paulson
Michael Rose as Colonel Kerkmejian
The most suspenseful thriller of the year explores just how far we will go to protect ourselves and our country. When a nuclear expert-turned-extremist (Micheal Sheen, “Underworld”) plants devices in three separate cities, the country’s counter-terrorism force springs into action and captures him. But the location of his bombs remains a mystery. With time running out, FBI agent Helen Brody (Carrie-Anne Moss, “Disturbia”) agrees to work alongside a mysterious interrogator known only as “H” (Samuel L. Jackson, “Lakeview Terrace), whose ruthless methods get results. But a power struggle develops between Brody, “H’ and the terrorist, and what happens next is unbelievable and -ultimately-Unthinkable!
What would you do if you had to interrogate a terrorist who has planted several nuclear bombs throughout the United States. Would you condone torture to get the terrorist to talk?
This has been a debated topic in America and it’s a storyline that is full explored in the film “Unthinkable” directed by Gregor Jordan (“The Informers”, “Two Hands”) and written by actor Peter Woodward. Because of the controversy that surrounded the film and the possibly because of the heightened security due to national threats in the U.S., instead of receiving a theatrical run, “Unthinkable” went straight to DVD.
The film revolves around a terrorist named Yusuf/Steven Arthur Younger (played by Michael Sheen, “TRON: Legacy”, “Alice in Wonderland”), an American Muslim and former Delta Force bomb expert who has planted three nuclear bombs throughout the United States. Because the bomb is set to detonate within a few days, FBI Special Agent Helen Brody (played by Carrie-Anne Moss, “Matrix” films, “Disturbia”) who has been following various terrorist across the country and her team are brought to a classified area where Yusuf is being held.
But also brought to the classified holding area is Henry Herald “H” Humphries. A former military interrogator who has used torture to get the answers for the military/US Government and is also being hidden in the U.S. via a protection program because he is a target by terrorists.
Both H and Helen Brody are to interrogate the suspect and get an answer in order to detonate the three nuclear bombs and quickly, “H” shocks everyone through his technique of interrogation by using an axe and chopping off one of Yusuf’s fingers. Special Agent Brody is against the use of torture but the FBI are unable to stop it because it is under the order of the US Government under the direction of the President of the United States.
Both H and Helen Brody have a different way of interrogation. “H” knowing that he needs to use torture to break him down and Brody using compassion in order to get an answer and thus the two characters are at odds.
As “H” uses various techniques to torture and break down Yusuf, Helen tries to get Yusuf to prove to her that the bombs exist and thus, Yusuf shows her an example and that is by using them as a way to self-detonate another bomb inside a crowded mall and thus killing innocent lives.
Now knowing that the nuclear bombs may kill many more innocents, “H” knows there is one way to get him to speak and that is to do the unthinkable. Will Special Agent Brody allow “H” to do the unthinkable in order to save millions or will her by-the-book style of interrogation prevent her from allowing “H” to continue using torture as a way to getting the terrorist to speak?
“Unthinkable” shows us that we many people may not support the use of “torture” but when put in the situation where millions of people can die, would you condone it or will you do all you can to stop it from happening?
It’s important to note that both the regular version of the film is included and also an extended version which is about nearly two-minutes long.
VIDEO:
Before I go into the picture quality of the DVD, I will say that “Unthinkable” is very impressive on Blu-ray as there is a lot of detail (especially during the close-ups) shown. As for the DVD, the film is presented in 1:85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen and of course, some of that detail is lost but the film still manages to look good. It’s hard to compare the DVD to the gorgeous Blu-ray transfer but for those who have not upgraded to Blu-ray, you should still be impressed by the DVD.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Unbeatable” on DVD is presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1. The film is primarily dialogue driven. You’re not going to see a lot of sound effects utilized in this film (aside from the various torture techniques) and a bomb explosion. But for the most part, the dialogue is clean and understandable. I chose to have my receiver set via stereo on all channels for a more immersive soundscape.
Subtitles are in English and English SDH.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Unthinkable” comes with a director’s commentary by Gregor Jordan. Jordan talks about the history of the making of the film, the challenges, especially how the film did with a test audience, having to change the film and also his feelings of creating a film that gives a perspective of torture used through interrogation. A very interesting commentary.
Although the concept of torture used through interrogations has been seen before, especially on the drama TV series “24”, “Unthinkable” steps up the torture through the cruelest ways imaginable to break down a suspect. From electric shocks, to cutting off one’s fingers and using techniques so grisly and cold, there’s no doubt that the film may be a bit extreme for some.
That is why there is a normal and extended version of the film included on the DVD and Blu-ray release of “Unthinkable”.
Where television can only show you parts of the conflict of those who support and are against torture in order to get the truth. Samuel L. Jackson and Carrie-Ann Moss do a wonderful job playing the interrogators on both sides of the fence. We see the anguish from both people because no one wants to be in their current position but because millions can die, the only way to get an answer is by breaking down the suspect. The problem is, the suspect is a member of Delta Force and he can take his fair share of torture and “H” knows that.
But Special Agent Brody is a person with morals and decency. She knows these techniques are not right but she knows that millions can die. But when put into the position of a person who is against torture, when you are literally hours away from a nuclear bomb being detonated, will you allow the torture?
Also, aside from the main two protagonist, it’s interesting how director Gregor Jordan uses the antagonist Yusuf/Steven Arthur Younger (Michael Sheen) as a way for the viewer to flip-flop their feelings of torture in their mind. We know that he is human, we know he can be broken down but the fact is, he is a former Delta Force soldier and he is good at deceiving and you never know if what he says is right or wrong. You can literally feel his pain when he is screaming in agony after being tortured but at the same time, you can tell that he doesn’t give a care because he feels he is doing the right thing.
It’s a difficult the situation for a viewer because you can be staunchly against torture but if there is no way the terrorist is going to talk, nor is he planning to reveal where the bombs are located and you have less than a few hours, do you let the torture happen in hopes you can detonate the bombs? Or do you stay close to your principles and allow millions of people to be killed because you didn’t want to go further in your interrogating technique.
“Unthinkable” is psychological warfare at its best. As mentioned, many people may have been familiar with the two sides of for and against torture from a show like “24” but “Unthinkable” tries to make it feel real by showing the worst of torture and the agony that one goes through while experiencing torture and those who know time is not on their side and know that the “unthinkable” must be done. And the unthinkable is not what many people will expect.
Needless to say, “Unthinkable” may be too disturbing for some people. But it’s definitely one of the best performances I have seen starring Samuel L. Jackson, especially Carrie-Ann Moss ala post-Matrix films. And Michael Sheen does a great job playing the terrorist who is constantly tortured.
By no means is this film used as a way to sway people to be for or against torture used in interrogations against terrorists or suspects but if you were put into the position where millions of lives depend on your action, would you condone the use of torture? What would you do?
Overall, “Unthinkable” is a violent, thought-provoking film that is controversial in nature. It’s not for the weak at heart but it is a film that one should definitely try watching and afterward, ask yourself what you would have done?