| Review: A Mighty Heart |
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| June 2007 | |
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 Asra (Archie Panjabi) and Mariane (Angelina Jolie) in Michael Winterbottom's A Mighty Heart Her husband's story is tragic. After missing for almost a month, a video tape was released that not only confirmed his death, but showed just how brutal it was. And while the world was fixated on that video, which floated around the Internet, this movie, based on Mariane's memoir, "A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Danny Pearl," is about more than just his death. We all know the outcome of the story, but the journey-most importantly Mariane's strength-makes this film a touching and inspiring one. Set mostly in Pakistan, the film takes a chronological approach to the plot, telling the story through the eyes of Mariane (Angelina Jolie). In Karachi, Mariane stayed with her friend and Wall Street Journal reporter Asra Nomani (Archie Panjabi), who worked closely with Mariane and authorities to find out what happened to Danny (Dan Futterman). The film goes through the story at a comfortable pace, and while there are snapshots of everyday life-the maid washing the floor, for example-one never thinks that it's a waste of film, but rather a way to show that despite the chaos ensuing inside Asra's house, life goes on. The film does well in showing the real Pakistan rather than one created by the media. There are the usual chaotic streets flooded with people, bright colors and a symphony of car horns; there are nods to the simple inconveniences (when the car won't start on the way to Mariane's interview with CNN, everyone gets out to give it a push); and there are also references to the bitterness between India and Pakistan (when Mariane seeks help from the Pakistani consul, he brushes Daniel's disappearance off as a conspiracy by Indian intelligence to make Pakistan look bad).
The film is a serious one, and with a plot so heavy, it helps that there are small doses of humor sprinkled throughout. Whether it's the female agent with a chip on her shoulder or the exchanges between John and Steve in the lobby of the Sheraton, where, on one occasion, they discuss Mariane's eating habits, these snippets do a good job of lightening the load of the film's topic. The film at times looks like a documentary, which is a reminder that this tragic story is indeed a real one, and one that deserves to be seen if not only to understand the story of Daniel Pearl, but also to be inspired by Mariane's strength. A Mighty Heart, directed by Michael Winterbottom, releases nationwide on June 22. |
Jolie, along with the rest of the cast, do a great job portraying these real-life characters. This may be due to the fact that each actor spent time with the person they were playing to study everything from their voice to their point of view. Because of this research, the actors were able to treat the script as a guideline and improvise, giving the film a more natural feel. Notable performances include Irfan Khan as Captain, who leads the investigation; Panjabi as Asra; Gary Wilmes as Steve Levine, a reporter friend of the Pearls'; and John Bussey as Dennis O'Hare, the foreign editor of the Journal. 
