The Reluctant Fundamentalist
Dir: Mira Nair
2012
****
Maybe The Reluctant Fundamentalist's lack of success is down to the fact that it faces peoples prejudices head on. Some have suggested that the title alone put people off, so it seems people don't even want to know. This is the sad truth as The Reluctant Fundamentalist puts a lot of things into perspective. It's a classic thriller in the sense that nothing is how it seems but the twist is that this is real, it's happening all the time all over the world. It tackles big subjects such as prejudice, paranoia, patriotism and good old fashioned lies (told best by governments and mainstream media alike). It might go some in helping people with their misconceptions of other cultures, countries and religions but the majority don't seem to care. They're comfortable in their little western lives, who cares if a bomb goes off on the other side of the world, it's their problem and they probably had it coming for some reason or other. It's a sad world. Watch this film and think. Content aside, the direction is very good as are the performances although I'm still not convinced that Kate Hudson was right for her role. Riz Ahmed however, is the man and definitely one to watch.