THE REPORT
US, 2019, 120 minutes, Colour.
Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm, Linda Powell, Corey Stoll, Scott Shepherd, Maura Tierney, Michael C.Hall, Sarah Goldberg, Douglas Hodge, T.Ryder Smith, Tim Blake Nelson, Ted Levine, Jennifer Morrison, Kate Beahan, Matthew Rhys.
Directed by Scott Z. Burns.
Or, perhaps the full title, The Torture Report, but with the word “Torture� redacted with whiteout as happens during the opening credits – redaction being rather significant as the film progresses!
This is the kind of film that this reviewerI would enjoy seeing at any time. The intricacies of politics, especially American politics are always intriguing. And, these years, it does not take very long after the events for behind-the-scenes intrigues and machinations to become the theme of popular films – though it was only two years between Nixon’s resignation and All the President’s Men. In more recent years, there have been W, Vice, Zero Dark Thirty. Fair Game.
But, what makes it even more significant for me, is that it was released in the very weeks that the impeachment of Donald Trump was being voted on. How revelatory is The Report for behind these days’ headlines?
In the meantime, here is the CIA, the exercise of torture from 2002 in the wake of 9/11 and the war against terror until 2008 and its being banned by President Obama. As we think, plent to think about as we watch, we are made to realise how much goes on behind the scenes, in the various departments, in the Congress, in the White House, the number of documents, the reports, the redactions, secrecy and security, personal rivalries, protecting of jobs and reputations, increasing carelessness of and/or admitting or covering the truth.
So, for the present, a good film to try to understand what might have been going on during Donald Trump’s initial years, the investigation into Russian interference, the frequent resignations of officials in the administration, the events which led to a impeachment – to be recommended.
Adam Driver’s performance as investigator Daniel Jones is excellent. He is listed as an advisor. He is the embodiment of an intensely principled American, completely dedicated to his work (but no real personal life to speak of), tempted to be a whistleblower, disgusted with the coverups, relentless in his examination of documents, making connections, wanting the truth to be told no matter what. And Annette Bening gives an excellent performance as Senator Diane Feinstein from California, Daniel Jones’ boss, but also to be seen as something of counterbalance. Not that she did not want truth to be revealed, but she was very conscious in her political life of the need for shrewd decision-making and the implications and consequences of politicking.
There is reference to Zero Dark Thirty and the CIA information which led to the attack on Osama Bin Laden. That film also had scenes of torture, bringing to our consciousness the issue and violence of waterboarding. In the early sequences, there is little holding back on indicating the range of tortures that were permitted, the limited medical con-men who sold the CIA on torture, and the vast amount of money spent on it, and the very limited information on future terrorist attacks that it elicited from the victims. As with the torture, there are the grim scenes where CIA officials rather callously watch and concur in the torture, using the principle that the end justifies the means.
There is also a reference to Edward Snowden (remembering Oliver Stone’s portrait of Snowden) and we think of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, a reminder of some of the truths that they revealed and deceptions played on the American public and on the world’s public.
As they say, “All will be Revealed�, the revelation may not be immediate but, with communications so complex these days, with human motivation so entangled, but with the hope that there is integrity in truth, so much will be revealed sooner rather than later.
1. The title? The redacted “torture� with whiteout?
2. Audience knowledge of American torture after 9/11, the investigations, the writing of reports, revelations in Congress? Obama forbidding torture? Audience stances, pro-American, anti-American? The impact of 9/11, the war on terror, the Bush administration and Dick Cheney and others, the role of the CIA?
3. Issues of torture of prisoners, Geneva Conventions, history of torture in the 20th century, Nazis, Latin American…? The decision for America to use torture? The roles of James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen? Their backgrounds? Qualifications – and lack, ordinary payouts to them? The attitudes of the authorities? Seeing the action? The details, naked, cold, hanging by wrists, loud music, waterboarding…? Death? The information gathered, the talk of imminent attacks, the indication that this information led to Osama bin Laden?
4. The original article base for this film, Rorschach and Awe? Daniel Jones as advisor to the film?
5. The use of the time chart, from 9/11 to the end of the Obama administration? As illustrated on screen?
6. Adam Driver as Daniel Jones, the introduction, his law studies, going to Denis Mc Donough for advice, to get experience, CIA and intelligence? His appointment to the committee, the patronage of Senator Weinstein, the investigation, the allotted room, the security, his mandate, the limits, the small staff and his working with them, intensity, the woman intending to leave to have a family life, his associate and himself and their torture dreams? Jones as a character, no life of his own, committed, his conscience, the temptation to be a whistleblower?
7. The picture of torture, the CIA officers and their presence, male and female, wanting information, hesitations about the torture, the aims, the law, the end justifying the means? The continued stances, official inquiries? Supported by the CIA?
8. Diane Weinstein, Annette Bening’s performance? Reference to her experience in California, the assassination of Harvey Milk, her work in the Senate, threats to her daughter? Strong, efficient, her reliance on her assistant and her quiet presence and help? Daniel and his job? Documents, the details? The political background and the need for concessions and compromises? The Senate hearings for appointing Brennan as head of the CIA? Krass and her interrogation? The arguments? The senators, Republicans and Democrats, frustrations? The justice Department, the Senate and the hacking of the Senate website, the White House? Her decisions, political nous, the speech in Congress, Sen John Mc Cain, the power, her party?
9. Denis Mc Donough, the initial advice, the later contact, out jogging? Discussions with Daniel? Supervising the Caucus meeting, the political implications of the revealing of the document?
10. Senator Udall, his speaking out, questions, his political defeat? The portrait of other senators and their interrogations? Political stances? Moral stances?
11. Daniel going to the lawyer, the interrogation, careful with his words, the relocating of the manuscript, the lawyer giving advice that political revelation would be better?
12. Contacting the New York Times, the journalist, his reputation, the meetings, giving him the information, the writing of the article? The possibilities?
13. Issues of whistleblowers, reference to Edward Snowden, memories of Julian Assange, Chelsea Manning? Risks, imprisonment? Political enmity is?
14. Daniel and staying with integrity, Senator Weinstein’s reaction, the manuscript, her speech, Senator Mc Cain?
15. The CIA officials, the condemnation, no prosecutions? Their arguments about the document, the extensive redaction, the pseudonyms, revealing identities or not?
16. The United States, the appeal to integrity?
17. The film released at the time of the impeachment investigations of Donald Trump? Audiences understanding the intricacies of investigations, political stances, personal stances, secrecy in confidentiality, justice, documentation and examination, cover-ups?
