What is it about? I'm not claiming that this film doesn't have a point, but which one? The main character, an MI-5 analyst, is introduced at work, nodding off while reviewing and re-reviewing hidden camera footage of a particular suspected terrorist. He chases around London, searching for more detailed intel on his target, a Middle-Eastern man who-he is sure-is up to something. Part of his motivation is preventing a terrorist from succeeding at terrorism; part is to succeed himself, at last, at his career and make a major interception. To be noticed by his superiors. Unfortunately for him, he makes a few tactical errors, and the target turns out to be a British citizen with a thorough knowledge of his own civil rights. Who is succeeding at what becomes more and more ambiguous as the film comes to its end. Terror? or torture? It's a story with the ring of truth, told in a morose, silent, unsmiling fashion, and with one exception the audience is never quite sure who can be believed. The lone exception, an older man in the Egyptian anti-terror agency, to whom the hero goes for advice, is both the most candid, open and and helpful source he can find, and the worst mistake he could make. The film forces the viewer to decide between living with terrorism, picking and choosing who gets the protection of civil rights, and whether or not torture is acceptable. Take your pick.
Complicit
2013
Action / Drama / Thriller
Plot summary
Dismayed to have passed over for promotion by less-able colleagues with better connections MI5 employee Edward Ebuko sees his opportunity to prove himself when he suspects hate preacher Waleed Ahmed of being a terrorist planning a ricin attack in Britain. However with no real evidence to back up his theory his superiors do not take him seriously. After poring over emails and CCTV footage he links Ahmed to a visit to a known terrorist in Yemen and catches up with him in Cairo, taking him in for questioning. Ahmed knows how far his captors can go and quotes his rights as a British citizen and denies everything. However a determined Edward resorts to torturing his suspect and gets a result: an address in Britain where the ricin is being manufactured. It looks as if he has won, but has Ahmed been been lying to him all along and what will be the consequences?
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Terror? or torture?
Rather disappointing
This could have been so much better as the basic storyline is good but it's really a bit of a damp squib I'm afraid despite a good cast.
Can't really recommend it even though I love spy and espionage stories.
Intense Two-Character Study Set Inside MI5 British TV-Movie
Strong Acting from David Oyelowo and Ali Asher Compel this British TV-Movie. It Has a Clean Directorial Style that is "Matter of Fact", Sleek and Without Frills.
Those Expecting Hollywood like Antics Spicing up the Story of a Terrorist Suspect and His "Enhanced Interrogation" Concerning a Bio-Weapon on the way to the UK, are going to be Disappointed.
It is Basically a Two-Character Study set Inside MI5 and the Battle of Wits between Spy and Suspect. The Bureaucratic Bloat and Red Tape are the real Villain of the Piece. The Strength of the Film relies on a Realistic Approach and as Entertainment some May find the Film Flat and somewhat Boring.
But the two Leading Characters Never let That Happen. It's an "Edge of Your Seater" as the Race Against Time and the Rage Against the Machine that the Agent Displays, albeit Internally, makes this a Compelling and Topical Movie that is Worth a Watch.