The Report is a film based on actual events that tells the story of how senate staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver) lead an investigation on the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation program.
In the aftermath of September 11 the CIA has decided to use a different form of torture to interrogate suspected terrorist that is called ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ which includes waterboarding, sleep deprivation caused by loud music, and being handcuffed while still standing.
Fast forward to 2005, and it is discovered that almost 100 recordings of interrogations have been destroyed. So, in steps Senator Dianne Feinstein (Annette Bening) who arranges for Daniel J. Jones and his team to investigate what happened in the wake of 9/11, Jones is relentless at uncovering the truth. Once the CIA find out just how much information had been uncovered, they do anything and everything they can to stop Jones and his torture report from being released. Jones, however, isn’t one to give up so easily and will make sure that the truth is no longer being hidden from the American public.
Adam Driver did an amazing job as Daniel J. Jones and has shown that he can be a very versatile actor. Annette Bening is phenomenal as Senator Dianne Feinstein. Plus, she and Adam Driver had a very good on-screen chemistry as boss and employee. I would also like to applaud Jon Hamm, Maura Tierney, and Michael C. Hall as they all provided solid performances as well.
I felt that The Report was very well made, and that Scott Z. Burns did a good job at both writing and directing the film as well. While I do have to admit that I did feel a little uncomfortable during the scenes that did show torture because real people actually had to experience it and the way it was displayed appeared very real. But despite this, I still enjoyed the film and was thoroughly engrossed with the story as I didn’t know a lot about it to begin. The report is not only an interesting film, but with a consistent and swift narrative, it was easy to follow as well.
If you like films based on American politics that involve corruption, justice, and the importance of uncovering the truth – then this is the film for you.
The Report is out now in selected cinemas across Australia.