sushant-90119
If you have any doubt regarding Kristen Stewart's acting skills, then this movie will make you rethink your stance. This movie is pulled forward mainly due to the brilliant performances by the two leads.
I personally believe that the movie has hidden many dark things that happen at gitmo especially the tortures that the detainees have endured including those who were innocent but arrested based on suspicion. So the story does no feel legit. But since it is a movie, i can let that pass. The final moments of the movie were emotional and would bring tears. This movie is really good and is a bit underrated for its story and the performance by the actors.
Mace
Released in 2014, Peter Sattler's Camp X-Ray saw a very limited screening in theaters and an underwhelming payoff in the box office ($10 000 US). Despite the mediocre box office performance and lackluster critical response, I find Camp X-Ray to be an excellent drama that manages to be extremely heartfelt and beautiful while also being emotionally gripping and entertaining. While the supporting characters are surprisingly thin and the story far-fetched at times, these flaws are easily forgivable after considering the excellent performances by our lead actors and an emotionally engaging script and screenplay. Camp X-Ray may drown us in political and moral messages at times, but the main focus is always on the personality of our characters and the forbidden connection between two people with different positions in society.If you are to ever hear someone bashing Kristen Stewart's admittedly questionable acting, refer them to Camp X-Ray, which contains arguably the best Stewart performance so far. While it isn't quite Oscar worthy, Stewart manages to reach a level of emotional depth that we have never seen from her before. She was tasked with the difficult role of a female guard at Guantanamo Bay and she nailed it. Being stern, but still noticeably softer than the male guards, she perfectly captured the emotions and actions based on the tough position she has been placed in. We can easily sympathize with her as all of her actions, deemed unreasonable by society, are completely understandable for us. Peyman Moaadi also does a fantastic job interacting with Stewart's character from the other side of the cell door. While the audience is aware that he could very well be a terrorist, he gives such a truthful and honest performance that we completely forget about that in the end. After all, it isn't about how the characters are different, but how they are the same. While on opposite ends of society's spectrum, they interact just as two people and it all feels incredibly intimate and real. The script and screenplay for Camp X-Ray is also fairly impressive. While the majority of the film's sequences are shared dialogue scenes between our two leads, the script was so tightly and well written that these scenes were incredibly immersive and gripping. We get into many different moral and political stances, and while it may seem excessive at times, it was never the main focus of the film. I did think it was a shame that our supporting characters were so underdeveloped and stereotypical. With such fleshed out lead characters, the paper-thin and bland supporting cast was extra noticeable as they never seemed to serve a purpose other than stand around and act "American". This was quite disappointing, but it hardly did anything to damper the end result that much. There was also a ton of interesting imagery and metaphors for the viewer to think about after viewing. Add this to the excellent script and fast-paced story, Camp X-Ray is an endlessly re- watchable and enjoyable experience. Sadly, there are times where I felt that the political views were slightly askew and quite unjust. The setting of the infamous Guantanamo Bay seems to just be a set piece as we were never exposed to the real injustice that occurred there. I feel that this story didn't really need to be set at Guantanamo as the setting never really seemed to be the focus, and the film never quite warrants the right to use such a recognizable and prominent location.Despite the few flaws, Camp X-Ray is still an excellent film. The acting from our lead actors is impressive, the story is surprisingly gripping and the script is very well written. It can, at times, be quite cheesy and politically insensitive, but this film isn't a documentary. It's an entertaining and emotionally gripping drama that shouldn't be taken too seriously when it flaunts it's political and social values.
Rob Wright
A wonderful story driven film that expertly tells the everyday trials of both working and being a detainee in Guantanamo Bay. Going in to Camp X- ray I had this vision of a hollywoodised piece of fiction with the sex appeal of Kristin Stewart thrown in but once you view the trailer and begin the film you instantly realise I couldn't have been more wrong.Kristin always has no make up on making her appear like a real human being instead of a sex symbol which is truly uplifting and refreshing in today's world. The story is dark and at times tense as we see the mental and physical struggle the detainees as well as the guards must face everyday and how it has a deep and meaningful impact for Cole.The Harry Potter aspect was a great addition with the hidden meaning of never being able to finish or get to the end of both the last book and Ali's time in Gitmo. The film really amps up the tension and drama towards the end with Ali threatening to kill himself but Cole manages to talk him out of doing so, Although I don't think I would have told him my full name and where I stay but that fact emphasizes the bond formed between the two characters.Camp X-Ray has a few minor faults primarily the fact we never see the outcome of the inquest into the report Cole filed but its safe to say we can make our own mind up about how that played out. Overall a superb emotion driven drama that focuses on the real grittiness of a place like GTMO opening our eyes to what life is really like on the island. A definite addition to the best films I've seen.
sendshaw
This really surprised me.Incredibly moving, brilliantly scripted and quite remarkable performances from the two main characters.The type of film that you might not watch if you simply read the description of it but turns out to be one you'll remember for a long time.It is even more of an achievement when you consider that the majority of the scenes take place between two characters stood on opposite sides of a door! Imagine having that set as a task for you and coming up with anything remotely interesting.I can't commend the direction enough and will look out for Peter Sattler movies in future.
