Traitor

“Traitor” is one of those films that challenges it's audience's thoughts and preconceived notions from the very start. What we may believe is happening, isn't quite accurate and what we suspect will unfold will likely be pretty far off.

Samir Horn (Don Cheadle), is an American Citizen who seems to live nowhere and everywhere all at once. Moving around, among terrorist cells in the Middle East he does business selling detonators and befriending men along the way. Surprisingly, we soon learn, he is also a devout Muslim. During a business meeting with an old friend in Yemin, who indecently seems to head a small portion of a large terrorist cell, the FBI infiltrates and Samir is arrested. It is in the Yemin prison that Samir first meets FBI Agents, Roy Clayton (Guy Pierce) and Max Archer (Neal McDonough), who become his pursuers later in the film as Samir goes to work with a large terrorist organization.

As the film progresses, we learn the truth behind what Samir is involved in, and are forced to consider thoughts we may find uncomfortable as the characters on screen have to ask themselves what the differences are between the actions of America and the terrorist cells wishing to destroy her. As Samir himself, at times, seems torn with which side is the right side, we perhaps may question too…

Positives

Samir is a moral man. God is at the heart of everything he does. Though many Christians would see this and argue that his God isn't the same as our God, I would beg to differ. Though his life is complicated, and horrible results often arise from the choices that he makes, his goal is never self preservation.

There is a true importance and value placed on both life, and relationships, in this film. God is referenced by Samir consistently. The relationship between Samir and Omar (Said Taghamaoui) is one I found particularly touching…

Negatives

Of course, as the nature of any Governmental Intelligence or Terrorist plot, there is violence. There is one instance where someone is thrown to their death, (the after effects of this are not shown) a few instances of gunfire and several explosions. For the most part, however, the violence is minimal compared to other films of this genre.

Because the central characters in this film are devout Muslims, more focus is put on the necessity of prayer and obedience rather than profanity. That isn't to say that profanity is obsolete, there is language, but it's kept pretty tame in comparison.

Overall, I was impressed with “Traitor.” In a season where films with strong agendas are about to start coming out in large quantities, this movie challenges us to want to be different. Most commonly Hollywood creates films which display biased reflections of the favored side of war. In this film, we see perspectives and motivations of both the Terrorists and the Americans. We are forced to glimpse a fraction of the reason they've chosen the actions they have, and we see that—in their eyes—America's methods haven't been any more moral than their own. In one scene, near the beginning, when Samir first meets Agents Clayton and Archer, Archer asks him how he can sell detonators to the terrorists. Samir responds with “I sell them to Americans, too.” Archer scoffs at Samir and reacts with “Well, ours don't kill innocent people!” And Samir retorts honestly “uh, yeah they do.”

On the other side of the spectrum though, I want you to realize this isn't an Anti-American film. Quite the contrary. I just appreciate that it challenges us to be honest when forming our opinions—to see the man behind the action, and not just the action, no matter how destructive it is. Whether it's an African man or an American man, a Christian or a Muslim—man is the one responsible. Several times the destruction or safety of “mankind” is mentioned. Mankind is all of man, not just one nation of them…

I would recommend this movie to anyone who normally likes this genre of film. There were a few predictable moments, but several unexpected events still took place. It keeps it's audience engaged and it's outcome certainly didn't disappoint me. I left the theater entertained, but more so moved and contemplating…

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.

• Positive
• Neutral
• Negative
• Young people