W2W&W: Direct-to-DVD Flick Makes Me Want to Scream ...

“Unthinkable,” surprisingly, grabs viewers by the face and demands that they do, indeed, think.

Anyone who has taken philosophy classes in the last decade are aware of the constant discussion of the morality issues in the hypothetical “ticking bomb” case, specifically about the use of torture. Is it right or wrong? Is it practical or impractical? Why is it right or wrong?

This movie does a naked cannonball directly into this pool of questions and, as some of the best films do, requires the audience to do its own thinking, without supplying an obvious conclusion from the director.

Visit the IMDB page ...This is such a tough movie to review without spoiling it, but I will try. The last thing you need from a reviewer is the same plot synopsis you can get from IMDB or commercials on your TV, but you do need some idea of the theme and characters to rasp a critical analysis.

An American-military expert in nukes (played by Michael Sheen) turns Muslim. He claims to have planted three nukes in three American cities. Carrie-Anne Moss is an FBI special agent and Samuel L. Jackson is a "contractor," formerly with the CIA and the Army. He's a professional torturer.

It is a surprising mix of intellectual content and entertainment ... so few films really manage to be both. The movie is philosophically demanding as well as suspenseful.

This movie is in a similar league with "The Siege" starring Denzel Washington, "Twilight's Last Gleaming" starring Burt Lancaster, and "Fail Safe" with Henry Fonda.

“Unthinkable” makes the TV series “24” look like a Lassie movie.

The story and the execution were so provocative that I wanted to stand up and shout or scream my answers to the ethical questions posed by the film at my computer monitor. If the director had been present when I saw this I would have duct-taped him to a chair so I could have a few words with him … not negative toward his product, but firmly getting my reactions off my chest.

It is all I can do to avoid giving my opinion about the issues raised (and missed or glossed over) but in order to allow you to experience the profoundly adult treatment of an important theme, and the masterful presentation (acting, cinematography, etc.) fresh, I’ll just leave you to twist on your own petard.

Where to watch it:
DVD

Rating:

- DJ -

~ Doc Jargon is the Movie & Television and Movie editor. W2W&W gets no kickback from studios or networks for reviews, much as we would love that. If we don't post about it, we don't watch it or like it. Got a show in mind for W2W&W to review, shoot us an email. ~