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Movies / On DVD / The Situation
The Situation

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The Situation (2007)

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Reviews Counted:5

Fresh:1

Rotten:4

Average Rating:3.9/10

Consensus: An ambitious but preachy drama that fails to convincingly parcel its thriller and romance elements.

Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Shooting a fictional movie based on a real war while that war still rages is a risky proposition. But director Philip Haas (THE MUSIC OF CHANCE) has taken the plunge with THE SITUATION, a film set... Shooting a fictional movie based on a real war while that war still rages is a risky proposition. But director Philip Haas (THE MUSIC OF CHANCE) has taken the plunge with THE SITUATION, a film set in Iraq as seismic changes grip the country. Connie Nielsen (ONE HOUR PHOTO) stars as Anna, an American journalist who investigates the possible drowning of an Iraqi boy by American soldiers, only to get caught up in the assassination of an Iraqi acquaintance as she travels between the cities of Baghdad and Samarra. In Baghdad Anna hooks up with her casual and disillusioned intelligence officer-boyfriend Dan (Damian Lewis), whose cynicism marks him out from his colleagues. But Anna also finds herself romantically drawn to Iraqi photographer Zaid (Mido Hamada), and when Anna is kidnapped after looking into the death of her friend, Dan and Zaid meet under difficult circumstances, setting out in a desperate bid to free her. Shot in Morocco, THE SITUATION deftly highlights the complexities triggered by the American presence in Iraq. The screen is filled with fine performances from actors who are given the problematic task of bringing to life morally reprehensible characters from both sides of the battle. Lewis and Nielsen both give excellent performances as two people who face duplicity and deceit at every turn, and Haas neatly strings a number of storylines together as the movie slowly weaves its spell. Those looking for answers and solutions to the conflict won't find them here, making THE SITUATION a perfect representation of a war that, as the film is released, still appears to be a long way from resolution. [More]

Starring: Damian Lewis, Connie Nielsen, John Slattery, Peter Eyre

Starring: Damian Lewis, Connie Nielsen, John Slattery, Peter Eyre, Shaun Evans

Director: Philip Haas

Director: Philip Haas
Producer: Liaquet Ahamed, Neda Armian, Michael Sternberg
Studio: Shadow Distribution

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Reviews for The Situation

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1 - 5 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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A gripping briefing on the post-Saddam morass of Iraq. The tactical calculus used by sheiks, insurgents, CIA operatives, soldiers, and civilians is ugly, but it's not inscrutable.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
03/02/07
Bill Stamets
Bill Stamets
Chicago Sun-Times
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The Situation is promoting itself as the first American dramatic feature film to deal with the occupation of Iraq. While that may be true, it turns out not to matter that much.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/08/07
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
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Set in wartime Iraq, The Situation is exploitation cinema of the most narcoleptic kind.

comment Comment
02/02/07
Manohla Dargis
Manohla Dargis
New York Times
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Part war drama, part political thriller, part romance -- and wholly uninvolving.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
01/16/07
Michael Rechtshaffen
Michael Rechtshaffen
Hollywood Reporter
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[The] film is undeniably topical but the lack of emotional investment in its characters renders it more intelligent than engaging.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/31/06
Ronnie Scheib
Ronnie Scheib
Variety
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1 - 5 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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