Rendition

2007 R 2h 2m DVD

Rendition

2007 R 2h 2m DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
Suspected of terrorism, an Egyptian-born man "vanishes" and is taken to a secret prison. His wife desperately tries to uncover his whereabouts, as well as his true intentions, while a CIA analyst objects to the interrogation practices being used.
Cast
Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, Alan Arkin, Peter Sarsgaard, Omar Metwally, Igal Naor, Hadar Ratzon, J.K. Simmons, Moa Khouas, Zineb Oukach, Bob Gunton
Director
Gavin Hood
Format
DVD
Screen
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.78:1
Subtitles
Spanish (Neutral)
CC
No
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Rating
R - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.
age 16+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 16+
age 16+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this heavy drama isn't for kids, even though it stars tween/teen favorites Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal. Not only does it deal with the many complicated political and cultural issues surrounding torture, but the dialogue -- which is focused on policy and intrigue -- will likely bore younger viewers. There's also plenty of violence, including explosions, shooting, and, yes, torture (there are difficult images of the victim's pain and the aggressor's visceral calculations). The torture victim appears naked in a small, dank cell, mostly in shadow. Other scenes show upset victims and negotiators; particularly wrenching is a young wife's anguished pleading that a CIA officer answer questions about her missing husband. Language includes some uses of "f--k" and other minor profanity.

Sexual Content

Khalid and Fatima kiss a couple of times. Anwar appears naked in several scenes, usually shadowed; his nakedness (which is non-sexual) is a sign of his vulnerability (his body is bloodied and bruised from torture).

Violence

Brutal violence throughout, including torture, as well as explosions in crowded streets. An early scene shows a suicide bombing in North Africa in which a CIA agent dies in Douglas' lap (blood everywhere). Anwar is tortured repeatedly -- he's tied to a chair, beaten, choked, dragged, kicked, and electrified. Photos of martyrs show maimed bodies. In a tense, lengthy scene, Fatima runs to stop Khalid's suicide mission, with pounding percussion and fast cutting. A bombing near the end is catastrophic, killing multiple people and leaving others traumatized and bloody.

Language

Several uses of "f--k," plus occasional other profanity, like "hell," "son of a bitch," and "goddammit."

Social Behavior

Both "terrorists" and U.S. agents use underhanded tactics; parents and children are at odds.

Consumerism

Sony TV, Washington Post.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Several characters smoke cigarettes and cigars. Douglas drinks hard liquor to show despair; he also goes to a bar where he smokes an opium-like drug from a water pipe. Douglas appears drunk and upset.

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

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