Based on the true story, Angelina Jolie stars as Mariane Pearl – pregnant wife of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl (Dan Futterman).  They are stationed in Karachi, Pakistan, where Daniel is tracking down information about shoe bomber Richard Reid.  After setting up a very important, but potentially dangerous interview, Daniel never returns.  Now, Mariane is left to worry about his safety, manage the competing groups trying to conduct the investigation, deal with the worldwide press attention and comfort his family thousands of miles away. 

What happened to Daniel Pearl?

It’s not easy to make a dramatic, tense movie when many in the audience already know the ending, but director Michael Winterbottom has created one of the most compelling and emotional movies you will see, and one which should receive massive Oscar consideration.  Much like United 93, Winterbottom has crafted A Mighty Heart into a raw movie free of histrionics, a loud soundtrack or special effects.  He makes each audience member feel like he or she is sitting at the table with Mariane, going on interviews with the police, and watching the same news reports on TV as everyone else as he mixes in real news footage along with recreations of events.  Finally, with his best decision in the movie, Winterbottom grabs our attention, not by showing what we know has happened, but making us see the reaction of those who witness it.   

Time after time, we are on the edge of our seats as writer John Orloff (based on the book by Mariane Pearl) authors a mystery for the audience that takes us through the twists and turns, the possible discoveries, questioning of suspects, false leads and the conclusion that still hits you in the gut, whether you followed the story in the news or not.  Along with Winterbottom, the two create a movie where you can feel the tension rising minute by minute.  Thankfully, A Mighty Heart also has a cast that can live up to and enhance the brilliant material.   

Many of you will wonder how Jolie could portray a woman she has very little physical resemblance to, however, you wouldn’t know it was her if not for the trademark Jolie lips.  She fills Mariane with an amazing, wonderful mix of power and hope tempered by reality and preparation for the worst.  Additionally, Jolie delivers what I consider to be one of the most horrific, gut wrenching, heartbreaking scenes I have ever witnessed on a movie screen just after the film’s climax.  It’s one of those scenes you won’t ever forget, makes you squirm in your seat with discomfort, and you can still hear her just thinking about it weeks later.      

Additionally, A Mighty Heart also features some great supporting players like Irrfan Khan as the Pakistani police captain who is determined to make sure his government and his agency’s reputation is upheld, and compelled by honor and duty to do the right thing, as well as Archie Panjabi as Mariane’s friend and colleague who tries to help her dig through the case and figure out who might be behind the disappearance.

I hope Oscar voters remember A Mighty Heart when it comes time for the voting.   

4 Waffles (Out of 4)

A Mighty Heart is rated R for language. 

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