ONE HARSH CRITIC: The Kingdom

The Kingdom:

 A Review

By Josh Gloer

It’s doubtful that anyone honestly and truly understands what is going on in the Middle East. Muddled conflict over land and oil has spun out of control long before this reviewer was even born. It is however clear that something’s not right. Something political, something moral, miscommunication – something’s not right. 

The Kingdom is an intense look at humanity as a team of FBI investigators unlawfully goes to Saudi Arabia to investigate a bombing that killed 100’s of Americans. Saudi politics barely allow the team to investigate, until Special Agent Fleury (Jamie Foxx) managed to bond with one of the few Saudi Police Officers assigned to “baby-sit” the US team. After several days locked being allowed to walk through the crime scene a handful of times, Fleury

Far be it for me to make any kind of political statements in my column (circulation 3), but this film struck a chord with me. We’re all people. We can’t wear each other’s shoes. And we probably can’t understand each other’s situations. I think that’s what this film is trying to say, and if it’s not… I guess I am.

The team searches for clues, and the plot takes twists and turns as any detective drama would, but this one is set in such a tense atmosphere, its almost deserves to be in a genre of its on. Its wonderfully acted. I’ve never seen Chris Cooper deliver a sub-par performance. And while sum may doubt the pretty face in Jennifer Garner, she holds her own as she transcends big screen genres of her own.

The Bottom line here, is politics and humanity.  I can’t pretend to understand politics. A brief timeline of the Saudi conflict at the beginning of this film is the only thing that kept me from being completely lost. It’s a subject I, regrettably just don’t stay on top of. I was however touched by the humanity of the film as people came together to get a job done. I haven’t said much in this review, except that. The movie does little either, but if you’re in the mood for a tense dective drama that shed’s a crack of light into the world of one of the world’s most infamous conflicts… give this film a shot.  

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Josh Gloer, Movie Correspondent

You can find Josh's column One Harsh Critic, published every other Sunday night at http://oneharshcritic.gather.com.

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