Rosewater: Blu-ray Review
The Movie:
Maziar Bahari (Gael García Bernal) is a Tehran-born and Canada-based journalist who returns to Iran to interview Mir-Hossein Mousavi, challenger to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the country’s contentious 2009 presidential election. As Mousavi’s supporters were protesting Ahmadinejad’s victory declaration even before the polls closed, Bahari endured personal risk by sending footage of the street riots to the BBC. For this, Bahari was arrested by police led by a man known only as “Rosewater.” He was tortured and interrogated over the next 118 days, while his wife embarked on an international campaign to have her husband freed and media outlets kept the story alive.
Who would’ve thought that Jon Stewart would be directing a serious dramatic film? I sure as hell didn’t expect that. It’s always really tricky when you’re adapting a real life story and you mix that with a first time director and the film was a recipe for disaster. Thankfully he tells Bahari’s story in the most perfect way and doesn’t pull any punches. There’s also a slight bit of humor here and there that helps cut the tension occasionally which was to be expected coming from Stewart. Bernal was fantastic as always and manages to portray a character that, through it all, never got overly emotional in the situation yet his eyes said everything (when they were uncovered). This film will keep you at the edge of your seat not because it was action packed but because of what Bahari went through. Although this film isn’t as heavy hitting as Argo was it really is a great piece of work for a first time director and I’m sure people will be knocking on Stewart’s door for other projects. If you’re looking for a great dramatic film then this is one worth checking out. 8/10
Special Features:
Iran’s Controversial Election – A super short feature that looks at the impact the election had.
The Story of Maziar Bahari – Another short feature that looks at the plot of the film.
Real Spies Have TV Shows – This feature takes a look at the news and TV entertainment.
What Happens In New Jersey… – This one looks at some of the sex filled moments in the film.
A Director’s Perspective – Stewart talks a little bit about a scene that he liked.
All of these featurettes are WAY too short and should’ve been expanded on.
