The Report Movie Review

The Report (2019)

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Written by: Scott Z. Burns
Directed by: Scott Z. Burns
Starring: Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm, Annette Bening, Michael C. Hall
Rated: R
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Plot
Idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones, tasked by his boss to lead an investigation into the CIA's post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, uncovers shocking secrets.

Verdict
This captures a piece of history. It's enlightening, revealing the atrocities that were excused due to various justifications. Two people convinced the CIA to commit toture under the guise of preventing terrorism using methods that had already been proven ineffective. In this movie, government isn't about being better or doing what's ethical. It's about using knowledge as leverage. The one person trying to stop it is silenced.
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Review
This is an investigation movie based on a true story. The subject matter is harsh. People are proposing torture and calling it learned helplessness. When the movie opened Adam Driver's character Daniel was accused of stealing and he called it relocation. The difference in both cases is intent. Daniel moved the files so the CIA couldn't steal and destroy them.

CIA agents debate on the definition of torture. The agents carrying out the process have very little experience. They seem to be sociopaths. The 9-11 terror attacks were used to justify torture. What I don't get is why anyone thought torture works. Daniel points out that the CIA themselves concluded it didn't work. People will tell you anything to escape pain, or even to avoid discomfort. If someone doesn't confess they're a resister. Either way it's a losing situation. The operatives claimed torture worked, but they water boarded a man one hundred and eighty three times without getting any information.

Daniel investigates for years. He wants to uncover the truth, but his team slowly shrinks as they realize the report will never become public. His report makes people mad because their misdeeds could be exposed. The CIA accuses Dan of lying, but wheat can he do when it's his word versus theirs? They have more clout. The CIA releases a report on Dan's report claiming his to be false.

Democracy is  a series of concessions. Dan has to conceded the immorality of the CIA  The Senator uses the information Dan collected to push her agenda. This movie is an enlightening piece of history. It's educational, not really entertaining, as it records the failure and inner workings of politics.