ah - yes well - juliette binoche - makes this an instant must-see
interesting synopsis too - she plays rebecca who is a war photographer
faced with her own conflict - husband and 2 daughters need her at home
not much more known as the film rolls with a strange opening sequence
a slit of light with specks of something illuminated - snow? rain? mist?
the acting credits shown in small font - including larry mullen jnr - what?
then a hatch is opened and bright sunlight in a very arid place - ah - dust
rebecca (binoche) steps out clad in full flowing black robes and headgear
large and expensive looking camera in hand and clicking away rapidly
what appears to be a funeral - an open grave with a woman lying in state
but her eyes open and she is then guided up and out and into a courtyard
seen loaded up with a vest packed with explosives - a suicide bomber
the graveside scene presumably her choice of ritual prior to death
no words exchanged as she embraces all the other women present
rebecca asks and allowed to travel with her in the departing vehicle
tension already high as they get through a roadblock in a busy city
as rebecca leaps she fires more photos and a policeman then alerted
chaotic scenes as she yells at people to run and then the bomb detonates
rebecca knocked to the ground and unconscious - and questionably dead
some suggested death scenes ensue set to some appropriately moving music
me - wow - too much - too good - this is shaping up to be one stunning film
in hospital husband marcus advises she has been airlifted from kabul to dubai
then seen driving up to a friends place in ireland and waiting daughters
tom (mullen jnr) and wife then host rebecca's family for a nervous meal
with it the first signs of the effect her job choice is having on marcus
he digs in then at home denies an affair and finally lets it all out
the constant fear of a bad news phone call messing with his emotions
elder now teenage daughter steph also holds a distance from mum
tears streaming as she begs her mother 'when will it end mum?'
brilliant acting from all making for a totally believable scenario
with it a series of scenes showing rebecca embracing her family
and a decision to abandon her career to focus on those who need her
her stunning photos of the suicide bomber the last sent to new york
eventually marcus convinces her to take steph to africa on a safe job
in kenya mother and daughter are very close but danger is lurking
the supposed safe refugee camp they are at gets attacked by rebels
rebecca sends steph to safety as she throws herself into the fray
her addiction back with a vengeance and her daughter despairing
all the recovery work undone but an agreed secret between them
returning home to ireland and marcus eventually learns the truth
steph has filmed the whole episode so there is no denying the facts
he flips out and sends rebecca packing - she is now very alone
totally mesmerising - big wide shots of her on a beach at night
eventually a call from her new york boss and an offer of work
a return to kabul to capture some more photos of the 'group'
back there and full circle to the opening scenes of the film
but this time a teenage girl being wired up with a bomb
this has a profound affect on rebecca - she cannot shoot
and with it a self-realisation it has ended - no more for her
please end now - yes - perfect - a beautiful song running
me - pinned to my seat - stunned - a totally faultless film
ms binoche surely in the best role of her long career
all other major actors well cast and giving their all
larry mullen jnr also turning in a fine performance
and norwegian writer/director erik poppe - brilliant
repeat viewing and rave recommendations imminent...
