OPINION: The movie deals with the US policy of extraordinary rendition, whereby terrorist suspects are transported for interrogation to countries across the world where torture is permitted and legal rights are few and far between. The explosive episode at the beginning of the movie sets the scene for a merciless pursuit of those behind a suicide bombing. Director, Hood presents a US determination to pin guilt on someone – anyone.

Anwar El-Ibrahimi (Metwally) is an Egyptian born American citizen plucked from arrivals on his return from a business trip and taken to an unknown North African State for questioning. Distressing scenes of torture follow as he maintains his innocence. At home his wife Isabella (Witherspoon) pleads with an old flame who now happens to be aide to a Senator, for information on her husband who has, for all intents and purposes simply disappeared. It seems a pity though that a white American had to be cast in the role of the suspect's wife – would we have been so sympathetic had it been an Egyptian woman with an accent who was distraught at her equally innocent husband's capture?

Gyllenhall's CIA character's youth and naivety contrasts perfectly with the ruthlessness of his boss, played by Streep. The latter's years involved with US security have hardened her into a cold-hearted unlikeable woman. A particularly informative scene is that between Streep and Witherspoon's old friend (played by Peter Saarsgard) where the injustice and inhumanity of rendition is juxtaposed in an argument about the threat to Western civilization from a group hell-bent on America's downfall. It is very much left to the audience to decide who is right in this murky grey dispute.

The parallel storyline of the young Egyptian girl in love with a fellow teen, unbeknownst to her a religious fundamentalist, allows the audience deep insight into this extremist world. The intense religious belief to the point of giving up one's life is a disturbing reality which is explained somewhat, although never condoned in the film.

Throughout the movie, rather than telling the audience what to think, Hood sets up a relatively neutral debate The parallel storylines eventually converge in a shocking twist at the end of the movie - leaving the audience with more than enough food for thought.

VERDICT: An informative and thought-provoking watch. Witherspoon and Gyllenhall avoid the Hollywood epidemic of 'over-acting' allowing the movie to retain a sense of reality and credibility.