FATWA (2005)

Directed by John Carter. Starring Lauren Holly, Rachel Miner, Roger Guenveur Smith, Mykelti Williamson. Drama/Political Synopsis: The life of a philandering United States Senator is impacted by a vengeful Islamic radical, acting upon his own interpretation of the fatwa, a directive by the Muslim cleric to kill Americans anywhere they can.

Now this one is, as they say, different. This is the epitome of a film that was not even trying to be box office, focusing instead on the art of the picture itself as well as...maybe...trying to send a message. In fact, Lauren Holly (its kind of hard to imagine that, yes, that was her playing "Jazz" in the Adventures of Ford Fairlane with Andrew Dice Clay and Gilbert Gottfried a decade and a half ago) produced this one in addition to starring in it.

Well, now its up to me-your faithful movie blogger guy-to tell you whether or not it succeeds so as to give you an idea of whether you should rent/view.buy it. The answer? Well, those of you who know me know that I never, ever, fail to take a strong stand on a flick. So, I have to say:

I'm not sure. 

O.k., so there is a first time for everything. I think this movie had the potential to be exceptional, but its not. The story line and plot had the potential to be politically controversial, but I don't think it is. On the other hand, you have several quality actors giving good performances, which you, of course, don't always have in movies. In baseball terms, this is definitely not a home run, but its not a strike out, either. I guess I'd have to say its a single trying to stretch into a double, and whether its succeeds or gets thrown out depends on you as the umpire at second.

The story basically covers a day/night night in the life of Senator Davidson (Holly), though she is, arguably, not even primary character in the film. We meet her in the opening credits where she is parroting some get tough language on foreign terrorists against the back drop of sound bites of the real President Bush. We learn that Senator Davidson is not totally engrossed in foreign affairs, however, as she takes time for an aggressive role in the hay with her "boy toy" (not to be confused with her hubby) before heading home to New York to mingle with her constituents for the weekend.

Davidson's marriage is apparently on the rocks, but she is clearly fond of her loving daughter (Rachel Miner) who, when not playing the all -American kid role and hitting Mom up for money-seems to be intent on getting high with her gal pal and arranging to get it on with her new, Middle Eastern, cab driving boyfriend (Roger Geuneveur Smith ). She also is friendly with two introspective tough guys (led by Mykelti Wlliamson Forrest Gump ) and seems to be of the mind to let them rip off her mother.

O.k., got it so far? You're probably wondering how this all fits together. Well, so was I, right up until the ending credits and, even then, I wasn't so sure what it all meant. One thing I was sure of, however, is that the uneven script and disjointed direction of the film, not to mention some of the unexplained holes in the plot (why was the "boy toy" executed by another woman? was the daughter in on part of the plot, and did she want someone to kill her mom? how did she meet the cabdriver?) took away from some fine  acting. Smith is a very versatile actor who has done a lot more across the spectrum than most. He is very intense here, if enigmatic in his role as the vengeful cab driver with murderous intentions.

Miner is very good, if infuriating in her part and Mykelti Williamson gives depth to his tough guy role. As for Holly, her performance was intense, mulit-layered and you do sympathize with her. I had a little bit of hard time buying her as a Senator (Now, wait a minute ladies! Calm down... that comment is not chauvinistic, she is just a little young to be a powerful Senator... unless she was previously a celebrity or part of a political family...aha, I just got it!..Female senator. From New York. Loveless marriage. O.k., I'm a little slow...) who can flit around Washington, D.C. hotels for sexual interludes without being recognized.

A little too much to buy for me. 

The bigger issue is with the script. This is obviously an intricate plot, but its set forth in such a way as its difficult to follow or figure out what is going on , which is always a large part of the fun. Also, the ending is the definition of a  "leaving you hanging" finale. Without being a spoiler, I can tell you that it ends badly for everybody.

I'm open to the possibility that the film, while trying to show the possible impact of continued terrorism here in the U.S., was not trying to make a definite point or pose any type of solution. Maybe it was just trying to tell a story of the cost and cause of mindless violence/terrorism as well as the fact that it might always be there, waiting to claim another victim(s). I'm really not sure.

You'll have to check out Fatwa and determine that for yourself.