Unthinkable (2010)

A psychological thriller centered around a black-ops interrogator and an F.B.I. Agent who press a suspect terrorist into divulging the location of three nuclear weapons set to detonate in the U.S.

Director:

Gregor Jordan

Writer:

Peter Woodward

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss, Michael Sheen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Henry Harold 'H' Humphries
Carrie-Anne Moss	...	Agent Helen Brody
Michael Sheen	...	Steven Arthur Younger
Stephen Root	...	Charles Thompson
Lora Kojovic	...	Rina Humphries
Martin Donovan	...	Assistant Director Jack Saunders
Gil Bellows	...	Agent Vincent
Vincent Laresca	...	Agent Leandro
Brandon Routh	...	Agent D.J. Jackson
Joshua Harto	...	Agent Phillips
Holmes Osborne	...	General Paulson
Michael Rose	...	Colonel Kerkmejian
Randy Oglesby	...	Mr. Bradley
Benito Martinez	...	Alvarez
Sasha Roiz	...	Interrogator Lubitchich

Storyline

A convert to Islam sends the U.S. government a tape showing him in three nondescript storage rooms, each of which may contain a nuclear bomb set to detonate in less than a week. Helen Brody, an FBI agent in L.A., is tasked with finding the bombs while a CIA "consultant," known as H, interrogates the suspect who has allowed himself to be caught. The suspect, whose wife and children have left him and disappeared, seems to know exactly what the interrogation will entail. Even as H ratchets up the pressure, using torture over Brody's objection, the suspect doesn't crack. Should H do the unthinkable, and will Brody acquiesce? Is any Constitutional principle worth possible loss of life?

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Plot Keywords:

torture | interrogation | muslim | electric shock | torture device | 

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Taglines:

Right and Wrong no longer exist

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence, torture and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Younger is supposed to have been a Delta Force operative. Given his age, his physical condition, even if he had not been training in any sort of physical conditioning, would not look like it does in this film. He would have much better musculature.

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Goofs

After the present has been established as Wednesday, the FBI agents see the tape in which it is stated that three bombs will go off on Friday. Agent Vincent then says "But that's 4 days from now".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Steven Arthur Younger: [into video camera] My name is Steven Arthur Younger. I am an American citizen.

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Alternate Versions

Extended version features an alternate ending where a team of FBI agents approach one of the bombs in a building. An FBI agent disarms the bomb, the team celebrates, and the camera pans to another bomb that's hidden. The bomb counts down to the time of its detonation and the film ends.

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Connections

References Saw (2004)

User Reviews

The price of keeping our way of life

Watched it last night and was really impressed. This is the sort of film that gets you thinking about your own moral grounds... how far would you have gone in order to save 1000s of lives. The story is simple, realistic and very current which makes it really efficient. I do believe this sort of threat by a single/small independent group of terrorists getting hold of a dirty bomb is the one we should all be loosing sleep over.

It does require a fairly strong stomach and will get some people uneasy with some of the torture scenes but this is exactly the purpose of the film.

The acting by the lead roles is superb - both Jackson and Moss are playing at the top of their game. While the storyline is not likely to be politically popular and therefore I will be surprised if we'll see many awards headed up this film's way. Still, hats off for memorable roles for both of them.

I don't think that everybody can watch this film, I doubt my wife could sit through all of it without some serious cringing. The subject of the film however is important enough to suggest that anyone who can tolerate strong violence on the screen should make time to watch the film. While enjoyable it probably not a good word to describe this film, it is surely memorable and impressive.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian Ukrainian

Release Date:

26 May 2010 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Unthinkable

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,669,947

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lleju Productions, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Kimmel International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1