The Whistleblower: Movie Review

The Whistleblower: Movie Review

The Whistleblower
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave, Benedict Cumberbatch, Monica Bellucci
Director: Larysa Kondracki
Rachel Weisz stars in this drama which is inspired by true events.
Weisz plays Kathryn Bolkovac, a Nebraska policewoman who, desperate for cash, accepts a position as a peacekeeper in Bosnia. Well, for $100,000 for 6 months work, you would take it, wouldn't you?
But once she gets there she finds her task of rebuilding a country in ruins becomes even more difficult when she discovers a massive conspiracy involving the UN, sex trafficking and a major cover up.
The Whistleblower is not an easy film to watch. It's gritty, grimy and uncomfortably harrowing viewing in some places. A lot of what's done to these poor individuals is implied rather than explicit and it makes it hard to view.
That aside, Weisz is good as the morally straight Bolkovac in this solid film - she gives the struggle and turmoil a plausible face and something to latch onto during this occasionally rocky road. Granted, you could end up feeling Bolkovac is a little naïve going into this expecting miracles when it comes to saving everyone, but there's a real pluck about her fight as the mire of human corruption rises up and festers around everyone in the UN like a bubbling cesspit.

A mix of mistrust, solid thriller and dark film-making makes the Whistleblower an earnest and worthy - if undramatic - night out and one which will make you question what you really believe about the UN.