THE MAURITANIAN REVIEW

 *MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Based on Mohamedou Ould Salahi’s memoir, Guantanamo Diary, Kevin Macdonald’s latest film, The Mauritanian, provides viewers with an insightful and compelling drama. 

The Mauritanian tells the shocking true story of Sahali (Tahar Rahim) who is captured by the United States government and is languishing Guantanamo Bay detention camp without charge or trial. Losing all hope, Salahi finds allies in defence attorney, Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate, Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley). Together, they face countless obstacles in a desperate pursuit for justice. Their controversial advocacy, along with fabricated evidence uncovered by formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), eventually reveals a shocking and far-reaching conspiracy. 

Prior to watching The Mauritanian, I wasn’t familiar with Salahi’s story so I was shocked by the brutal punishments he received at Guantanamo Bay. Director Macdonald doesn’t shy away from the disturbing and violent tortures Salahi received. A sequence sees Hollander and Couch reading a letter written by Salahi that details the brutal treatment he received. This is where The Mauritanian is at its most riveting, however, the violence makes it hard to watch. 

Although the rest of The Mauritanian isn’t as compelling as the later torture sequence, it is still a well-made drama that benefits from the performances of its talented cast. While Foster, Woodley and Cumberbatch, expectedly, deliver strong performances, it’s Rahim that stands out as Salahi. What makes Salahi an easy to character to respect is the fact that he doesn’t give up, despite his grim situation. Rahim delivers a committed performance and, at the time of writing this review, is currently nominated at this year’s Golden Globes, with Foster also nominated for her portrayal of Hollander, who is determined to free Salahi. 

The Mauritanian is based on Salahi’s memoir, Guantanamo Diary, which was published in 2015. With his memoir, Salahi made the revelation that the US Government had held him, without charge, for fourteen years at Guantanamo Bay. What’s most shocking about the memoir is that it was published when Salahi was still being held at the prison camp. The book was edited by Larry Siems by Salahi’s manuscript which his lawyers brought to the editor. Following its publication in 2015, many readers were surprised at how lacking in bitterness Salahi was since he had no ties to terrorism and had been subjected to brutal torture. In 2015, producers, Lloyd Levin and Michael Bronner, bought the rights to Guantanamo Diary. I can understand why they were interested in making a film adaptation. Although The Mauritanian isn’t as powerful as it could have been, especially considering the serious subject, it is still an insightful drama that effectively highlights the brutal treatment faced by prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. Because the real Salahi was never angry towards the US government, although he had every right to be, it was important that the film capture this and, through Rahim’s honest portrayal of Salahi, they succeed in making him an easy character to respect and root for.

Some may criticise the decision to focus more on Hollander and Couch rather than Salahi as it’s his story, which is understandable. The Mauritanian occasionally focuses on Salahi’s experience in prison. Aside from the brutal punishments he receives, he also makes a friend with a fellow prisoner. However, the scenes that focus on Hollander and Couch are interesting. Both sides of the arguments are reasonable, with the former wanting to free an innocent man and the latter wanting to see someone punished for the horrific terrorist attack that took place in New York City on September 11, 2001, as his friend was killed. However, when Couch discovers that Salahi may be innocent, he changes his mind. While it would have been really easy for the film to portray Couch as the antagonist, he is rather portrayed as a grieving man who lost a friend and, at first, doesn’t care that Salahi isn’t guilty as he’s only interested in having him punished.

I had only heard of The Mauritanian earlier this month when it was released in the United States. It received a mostly positive response from critics, however, many of them described the film as bland. Although it’s not due to be released in the United Kingdom until April on the Prime Video streaming service, I recently watched The Mauritanian as it was showing at this year’s Glasgow Film Festival. Although I don’t think it was as bland as critics described it, I still don’t think that it was as powerful as it could have been, however, it benefits from Tahar Rahim’s lead performance.

7/10