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Though we like to think that the justice system is fair and impartial, sometimes those who are tasked with keeping us safe and bringing criminals to justice fail to get it right. And in director Kevin Macdonald’s The Mauritanian, a defense attorney fights to make things right for her client.
The Mauritanian tells the true story of Mohamedou Slahi (Tahar Rahim), who was taken in for questioning shortly after 9/11 and simply disappeared. Years later, attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) hears his story and tracks him to Guantánamo Bay, where he’s being held under suspicion of organizing the terrorist attacks, though he still hasn’t been charged with a crime. As Nancy and her colleague, Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley), work to file a writ of habeas corpus on his behalf, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch) fights for the death penalty.
As they continue to work both sides of the case, the three lawyers come at it from different perspectives. Stu has plenty of reasons—both personal and professional—for wanting to make Mohamedou pay for these heinous crimes. Nancy is all business, digging up the facts, fighting for her client’s rights—to get him a fair trial. It doesn’t matter to her if he’s innocent or guilty; she just knows that he deserves fair treatment. Teri, meanwhile, throws her heart and soul into the case. She becomes attached to Mohamedou, calling his mother and bringing him the right kind of tea when they visit him. She’s convinced that he’s innocent, and she defends him even though she loses friends and family members in the process. And it’s not hard to see why. Rahim’s Mohamedou is incredibly charming. Despite all he’s been though, he’s open and trusting and respectful when he meets with his lawyers, gradually revealing his story instead of fighting and responding in bitterness and rage. And as he does open up, viewers will become just as attached as Teri does.
Admittedly, this story isn’t really anything that we haven’t seen before. Mohamedou’s case isn’t unique. It’s extremely disturbing though, sadly, not especially surprising. Guantánamo Bay seems synonymous with all kinds of practices that fall outside US laws. And this film shines a light on just one such case.
Still, while The Mauritanian isn’t necessarily distinctive, it’s a gripping film that tells a story about the fight against injustice. And the characters’ stories—along with some strong performances—make it better than average.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
